There was a marked difference this week between the inclusive commemorations marking VE Day in London and the military triumphalism of Putin’s Victory Parade in Moscow. The main focus in London was on the respectful Thanksgiving and Remembrance Service in Westminster Abbey, supported by processions, tea-parties and concerts, involving ordinary people around the country. This contrasted vividly with the Russian march-past of tanks, artillery, rockets and nuclear missiles. One was celebrating peace in Europe, the other was glorifying war.
Having lost most of my friends and relations who served during the War, it was especially enjoyable to catch up with a lady who is 101 years old and served as a FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry). She allowed me to use her husband’s papers for my book Liberating Libya because he served with the Long Range Desert Group and led his regiment into the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. She also had a fascinating time during the War, which is briefly summarised in this week’s Hampshire Chronicle. We had a chuckle about the article, which she said was all wrong (including the spelling of her name). And of course, she pointed out that it was incorrect to write that 8th May was the end of the War because the ferocious fighting in the Far East continued until Japan’s surrender on 14th August.
Rupert Wieloch 