Wiltshire veteran passionate about VE Day commemoration
Spencer Bull from Warminster supports other veterans at the Help for Heroes charity
Communities across the Wiltshire are preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which falls on 8 May 2025.
The day commemorates the end of World War II in Europe, when Allied forces formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender in 1945.
Events planned include remembrance services, parades, exhibitions, and street parties, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
National landmarks are expected to be illuminated, and a two-minute silence will be held to reflect on the significance of the occasion.
Veterans, civic leaders, and members of the public will come together to pay tribute, ensuring the legacy of VE Day continues to be remembered by future generations.
Spencer Bull is an Army veteran of 29 years. He's currently working in the Help for Heroes Recovery College as a peer trainer and veteran ambassador for the charity.
He supports veterans at the charity in Wiltshire through his own lived experiences.
"The war was huge and it's now a period, for me, of reflection. You think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and didn't come back. You think about those who did come back but were injured physically or mentally.
"And I also think about the families as well, of those who either had someone who's died or someone who was injured. That's huge, and we don't often think always think about the families".
He told us a little bit more about the way Wiltshire was impacted by the conflict.
"I live in a Wiltshire village and on the walls in the church, you can see all those who unfortunately lost their lives during the war. And it's huge and it really had a massive impact on communities across Wiltshire. And it's something that again, it's just to reflect upon."
At a time when fewer and fewer WWII veterans are alive every year, Spencer shared the importance of educating the younger generation.
"the expression is keeping the flame alive.
"We need to remember and the younger generation needs to know what happened. You don't need to dwell on it, but they just need to be aware of what took place and continue to commemorate the actions of those involved.