Interviews from the 'Living Museum' in St James's Park
Updated Tuesday 12th July 2005
WWII 60th anniversary logo
Thousands turned out on National Commemoration Day to commemorate the 60th
Anniversary of the End of Second World War. From smartly dressed Veterans
to young families, tourists and local people, a diverse mix joined in the
celebrations and came to mill around St James's Park or watch the stunning
performances at the commemorative show, either on the big screens on The
Mall or in person as a guest.
Below are links to a series of audio
interview clips recorded at the Living Museum in St James's Park between
4-10 July 2005.
The next event is VJ day which will be marked by wreath laying ceremonies
on 21 August 2005 at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. Actual VJ day is on the
15 August. However, at their request, 21 August has been agreed with
the Burma Star Association.
More information on VJ day will appear on the
official website as and when it becomes available.
Click here
to see the Veterans Agency Calendar of Events for celebrations in your part
of the UK.
National Commemoration Day
Women in World War II memorial
John Reid, Secretary of State for Defence
Interviews with Veterans
 |
James Arthur Davies, Bomber Command, 101 Squadron
"Terrorists, yes we were bombed day
and night..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 272Kb] |
 |
Patrick Higgins, ex RAMC "We
started out to come here today because we'd pledged ourselves to be
available..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 306Kb] |
 |
John Leakey "I can take
things out of my mind so quickly..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
103Kb] |
 |
Morris Bourne "By comparison
that's nothing..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 80Kb] |
 |
Ron Kane, Corporal in Royal Air Force, from London
"Nothing would put me off coming
here, not to this exhibition anyway, it means too much to ex-service
people..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 270Kb] |
 |
Herbert William Brown, Driver Mechanic as a Guardsman, Great
Griffield, Yorkshire: click on the link below to hear interview clip:
"I hope there's never any more wars..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
308Kb] |
 |
George Edward Smith, Royal Artillery Searchlights: click on the link
below to hear interview clip:
"I can feel it coming up on me, you
know, the old tear and that..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 314Kb] |
 |
Cyril Bridge, RAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force: click on the link below
to hear interview clip: "I was lucky - I came
home. I'm 81 years of age, I came home..." [Clip is mp3 format
/ size 524Kb] |
 |
Jim Carroll, Royal Navy, London Bridge: click on the link below to
hear interview clip: "I served
in the Royal Navy for about 4 years, 4½ years during the war..."
[Clip is mp3 format / size 436Kb] |
 |
Dennis Griffiths Private 1st/5th Battalion Sherwood Forresters from
Ely: click on the links below to hear interview clips:
"I was a POW for 3½ years,
commencing from February 15th..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 284Kb]
"We've come to remember the
prisoners of war in the Far East..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
340Kb]
"'No Not the Poppy' in this
remembrance, but the pale orchid..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
431Kb] |
 |
John Concannon: Glider Pilot and also with the Tank Corps from
Slough: click on the link below to hear interview clip:
"The reason the war came was
through the generation before..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 555Kb] |
Interviews with Evacuees
Interviews with Serving Personnel
 |
Chief of the Naval Staff and First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West
GCB DSC ADC: click on the links below to hear interview clips:
"It's always fantastic to meet some
of the Veterans..." [Clip is mp3 format / size 314Kb]
"Six years of war, it is
mind-boggling to think about it..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
976Kb] |
 |
Cpl Mark Lawson, from Doncaster in South Yorkshire: click on the
link below to hear interview clip:
"My father was in the Air Force, my
grandfather was in the Air Force..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
506Kb] |
 |
SAC Daniel Bucknall, a Chef with the RAF Mobile Catering Support
Unit, from Cleethorpes: click on the link below to hear interview clip:
"We're here celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the VJ/VE Day..."
[Clip is mp3 format / size 300Kb] |
 |
SAC Martin Rate, a Chef with the RAF Mobile Catering Support Unit,
RAF Stafford, from Barnet, North London: click on the link below to hear
interview clip: "I don't think that
something as important as this should ever be forgotten, ever!"
[Clip is mp3 format / size 471Kb] |
 |
Flight Sargeant Phil Jones from RAF Mobile Catering Support Unit,
RAF Stafford: click on the link below to hear interview clip:
"We're feeding all the enablers, the
personnel that set up the Museum..." [Clip is mp3 format / size
308Kb] |
 |
SAC Camille Spencer, Catering Accountant in the Royal Air Force:
click on the link below to hear interview clip:
"The contribution that we're
actually making and will be making is vital to any society..." [Clip
is mp3 format / size 381Kb] |
Related articles:
Related links:
The Ministry of Defence is not responsible for the content of external
websites
|
