Wiltshire army veteran pays tribute to fallen soldiers on Remembrance Sunday

Norman Minty has told us why he wants people to remember

The veteran taking cover from possible snipers in Northern Ireland
Author: Ana Da SilvaPublished 14th Nov 2021
Last updated 16th Nov 2021

A British Army veteran from Wiltshire, born in Germany whilst his father was serving in the military post-World War II, has paid tribute to servicemen and women who perished in the line of duty.

Aged 17, Norman Minty joined the Army as a private soldier in 1964. He was his family's fifth generation to serve in the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment – previously Country Regiment – of Berkshire and Wiltshire.

The now-Devizes resident retired in 2004, having gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

'Gave their lives for the freedom that we all enjoy today'

Speaking with Greatest Hits Radio ahead of Remembrance Day, he told us what he wants people to remember this Sunday.

"The thing I would like people to realise is that soldiers of World War I and World War II are the people that actually went out and fought and gave their lives, for the freedom that we all enjoy today.

"I think that should be brought to the attention of all of our young people, so they know that part of history.

"I would like them to remember those people who willingly went to maintain the freedoms that we have today - and especially those that unfortunately didn't return".

Norman Minty was his family's fifth generation to serve on the frontline

'In my battalion, we lost a lot of people'

According to Ministry of Defence figures, 2016 was the first year since 1968 when no British soldiers died in operation.

Mr Minty served in the Army for nearly 40 years in the post-war period.

As well as honouring soldiers from both World Wars, he's told us about the importance of remembering those who lost their lives on the frontline since 1945.

“I’m very thankful for those people who gave their all, especially in the two wars. But of course, it is also about remembering those people who have died since those times.

“Particularly in my battalion, we lost a lot of people, primarily in Northern Ireland where I spent more than 36 months over a period of different deployments," Mr Minty added.

A Remembrance Day Service and Parade is taking place in Swindon from 10:50am, where a procession will begin at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus.

A two-minute silence will be observed at 11:00am, followed by a Remembrance Service and Veterans and Cadets march-past.

Those wishing to attend have been encouraged to wear face coverings, and adhere to the Government’s COVID-19 guidance on social distancing.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.