'It's made me think of all the people who didn't come back': D-Day veteran commemorates
Roy Hayward, 98, who served as a reserve tank crewman and landed on Gold Beach, received a standing ovation
Last updated 5th Jun 2024
Emotional D-Day veterans have spoken of how the national commemoration of the Normandy landings left them in tears as they remembered those who lost their lives.
A total of 21 veterans had a chance to meet the King, Queen, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister at the conclusion of the event held in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to mark the 80th anniversary of the key Second World War battle.
Roy Hayward, 98, who served as a reserve tank crewman and landed on Gold Beach, received a standing ovation when he appeared on stage during the show.
After meeting members of the royal family, he told the PA news agency: "I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, I thought they were super actually, I was most impressed by the way they chatted to me and were so friendly.
"They asked me how I got on and how I had my legs blown off.
"I lost both of my legs but that's nothing in comparison with what happened to other people and that's always the attitude I've had."
He added: "It's gone very well, beautifully organised as it normally is when the military are involved and the Navy and all the services, everything goes like clockwork.
"It made me feel reminiscent and it has made me think of all the people who didn't come back."
Keith Whiting, 98, who served with the Royal Marines, said that he was able to share a joke with the King and told him that he had served on the same ship as his father, the late Duke of Edinburgh.
He said: "It was marvellous, we shared two or three jokes, I served on board the HMS Ramillies when Prince Philip was on there, so we talked about one or two things.
"It was such a marvellous turnout."
Vera Brett (nee Relf), 99, who served with the WRNS, said: "It was delightful, they were so charming and so kind, talking to each one to such an extent.
"We discussed that it is very essential to make it known to the next generation."
Speaking of the King, she said: "He was charming, they all were, so relaxed to how they used to be in the old days."
And speaking of the event, Ms Brett said: "It brought me to tears."
She added: "It's a day I never believed would happen, I was just an ordinary Jenny Wren. It made me cry, I could sing along to Vera Lynn's songs happily."
Betty Withers, who served with the WRNS in command operations on Hayling Island, Hampshire, said: "It was absolutely wonderful but I have met the King when he was the Prince of Wales because I am a war widow.
"My husband wasn't killed in battle but he died some years after as a result of his service and the King is patron for the War Widows.
"He asked me where I served, what it meant to me to be in the WRNS."
She added: "I felt very proud, things happened and you just took every day because you don't know if you are going to survive the next day, particularly as they used to light bombs on Hayling Island to draw the bombers away from Portsmouth so it got a real bashing, it was a bit scary at times."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also met and spoke to D-Day veterans after the commemorative event in Portsmouth.
He told those in attendance: "It is a very special day - you have a lot to be proud of."
Doris Lacy, 98, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during the Second World War, said it was "absolutely shocking" to speak to Mr Sunak. She added: "I found it such a pleasant surprise."
Of the commemorative event held on Tuesday, Ms Lacy said: "I've enjoyed it, I've really enjoyed it.
"I've enjoyed the fact that I've had to bring it all back again in my memory to think about."