Yesterday (Thursday 8 May) saw the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity marked the occasion at the Royal Albert Hall with a glittering concert in association with the Daily Mail and broadcast live on Classic FM.
Presented by Dan Walker, Katherine Jenkins OBE, and Myleene Klass MBE, more than 5,000 guests filled the Royal Albert Hall to revel in the wartime tunes performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the RAF Squadronaires. There were also moving and uplifting vocal performances from Katherine who sang that paean to separation caused by war We’ll Meet Again, made famous by The Forces’ Sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn.
Other incredible performances came from Lance Ellington, Zara McFarlane, and the D-Day Darlings, and dancers filled the floor in front of the stage, adding to the ambience.
Harry Clark of “Traitors” fame was joined by Peggy, who recalled celebrating her 10th birthday and the end of the war on her family’s farm. Another guest, Lynda, was born on VE Day itself, somewhat interrupting her parents’ plans to celebrate. Several WWII veterans were in attendance as well, sharing their memories of the elation and celebration from 80 years ago.
Guests were treated to the musical and vocal performances but also invited to reflect on the struggles and losses that come with war. One such story was that of Robert Johns, a 15-year-old boy from Portsmouth who lied about his age to join the Parachute Regiment. He was killed shortly after the successful D-Day landings.
Sir Winston Churchill’s great-grandson Randolph gave a rendition of the wartime PM’s famous speech announcing the fighting in Europe had, after nearly six years of blood, toil, tears and sweat, ended.
Air Marshal Sir Simon Bollom, National Chair of SSAFA, speaking to the crowd on the SSAFA’s role on VE Day and 80 years on:
“SSAFA supported the Armed Forces and their families during World War II, and we continue to provide that support today. The Armed Forces is a family – everyone has each other’s backs, and SSAFA is there to ensure no one battles their problems alone.”
Other SSAFA guests included guests included SSAFA President HRH Prince Michael of Kent, The Lady Dannatt MBE, Lady Alex Walmsley, the teams from Project Fire and Ice and A Driving Force, Tim Peake CMG, SSAFA Ambassadors Vicki Michelle and Friederike Krum, and Angela Rippon CBE. It was a wonderful evening to relive the joy and the euphoria of VE Day, and a chance to remember the Greatest Generation and all the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
To learn more about how SSAFA supports the whole Armed Forces family, visit ssafa.org.uk.
