Troops who missed VE Day celebrate (From Free Press Series)

Troops who missed VE Day celebrate

PONTYPOOL'S WAR veterans gathered to remember celebrations that took place 60 years ago, marking the end of the second World War.

Members of the Pontypool branch of the RRW Comrades Association (24th/41st) came together on Saturday at the RO Glascoed Sports and Social Club to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE day.

One former soldier, who was at the social. turns ninety this year and is the oldest member of the Pontypool Comrades Association.

Fred Moorcroft was just 24 when he went into the army with four friends from his hometown, he is the only one left now, and this year he turns 90. "Somebody must like me," he said.

Mr Moorcroft, from Trevethin was called up in 1939 and went from his hometown in Manchester to Cardiff and then onto fight in Burma.

He said that the troops who fought in Burma missed out on celebrations as they returned home later.

"We felt like the forgotten army when we got back here. They had all celebrated VE day, but by the time we got back it was all ration books and the like."

Memories flooded back for those at Glascoed as local ladies group Mello'D set the scene with favourite tunes from the forties.

Over one hundred comrades and their wives attended the event and many dressed up to relive the historic day.

Many of the former soldiers added to the evenings entertainment by performing songs and poetry.

Mrs Ann Sterry-Witcombe read a moving poem, Lawrence Thomas treated guests to songs, Jack O'Connor and Brian Matthews became the 'Andrex Sisters' and even Winston Churchill alias John Hall, made an appearance.

A veteran from the war in Europe remembers his war years in detail from his first post in Malta, moving to Italy and then to Austria. Mel Watkins, of Cwmbran is 81 now and can still speak Italian after spending much of his three years overseas in the country.

"It's safe to say I didn't really notice VE day the first time round. We were stationed in northern Italy and surrounded by German tiger tanks. And when they speak they speak very loud. The Germans didn't know it was VE Day so we had to chase them up through the Alps into Austria. (Pushing them back to Germany.)"

The former soldier looks philosophically at his war years. He said often reminded himself that there is "always someone worse off than yourself."

He said the VE Day celebration was "excellent, and brought back a surprising number of memories."

Pontypool Branch RRW Comrades Association (24th/41st) now plan to visit the National commemoration of VE Day in Weymouth in June, reputed to be the largest gathering of former soldiers in the UK. They will also commemorate Victory in Japan (VJ) Day with a dinner dance in August.