The Corps was honoured to take part in the VE 80 Day National Parade from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace today (Monday 5 May). Members of the Corps took part in the parade alongside members of the Royal Family and members of Armed Forces.
Before the Parade, FANY SOE veteran, Barbara Bunce, aged 101, inspected and met with the FANYs. Barbara served in England as a wireless telegrapher receiving messages from SOE agents deployed in the field. Barbara is now resident in the USA, and she flew over to the UK with her daughter to take part in the commemorations for VE80.
During the Parade, Joyce Wilding, FANY SOE veteran, aged 100 from Sussex, was on the Dias alongside HM The King and thirty other veterans. Joyce served in England as a transmitter hut attendant receiving messages from SOE agents deployed in the field. Joyce will be reading a prayer on behalf of all veterans later in the week at the Westminster Abbey service.
The parade marked the start of the official commemorations to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day and featured 1,300 members of the Armed Forces with thousands of members of the public watching along the Mall. The procession began in Parliament Square when Big Ben struck midday, and actor Timothy Spall recited extracts from the iconic Winston Churchill VE Day speech. A young person will then pass the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to Alan Kennett, 100, a Second World War veteran who served in the Normandy campaign. The Torch for Peace is an enduring symbol, honouring the contributions made by individuals, which will act as a baton to pass and share stories to future generations.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery then lead the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph which will be dressed in Union Flags, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall through to Buckingham Palace where the procession will finish.
They will be followed by a tri-service procession group featuring marching members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. Cadets from all three services and other uniformed youth groups will also take part in the procession to ensure the message of VE Day is handed down to a new generation.
Corps Commanding Officer, Lisa Giles, said
“It is an absolute honour to have taken part in the Parade today to mark the beginning of the events remembering 80 years since VE Day. We are very proud of our FANY fore-sisters’ service throughout the Second World War; over 6,000 women were FANYs and they served in a range of different roles within the SOE and across Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaya, Japan and the East Indies.
“It was humbling to meet with Barbara before the Parade began, and a real honour for us all to hear about her amazing service. It was equally special to see Joyce alongside HM The King and her fellow veterans – it was a very moving moment.
“This week has provided an important opportunity to commemorate the service given by so many people, and to remember the sacrifices that so many had to make. It is also a chance to reflect on the inspiration provided by so many FANYs who served before us, and to take courage from their bravery and valour.”
