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SEPTEMBER 1 this year marked the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.

Unlike the First World War, it was clear the Second World War was a necessary battle. My late father, a WW2 veteran, turned 19 less than a week after the declaration of war. He immediately sought to enlist, recognising, along with many others, the need to participate in the battle.

He spoke of his disappointment when he was told that as a coal miner, his work was regarded as a protected trade and that he would not be able to enlist. As the war continued, however, all fit and available men were conscripted. During his long life, he spoke of his disappointment that he had not been able to enlist freely as he had wanted to choose the regiment with which he served.

When conscripted, he was placed within the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantrymen and then became part of the Royal Artillery, serving in North Africa as part of the famous Eighth Army, moving through Sicily and Italy, surviving four bouts of malaria and subsequently receiving a handful of medals for his service.

Six years of his life were given to his country, living through the uncertainty of battlefield conflict and the stresses and strains of modern warfare (so-called ‘friendly fire’ existed in the deserts of North Africa during WW2, he said).

In his final months of service in the military, he was involved in re-establishing the mail system across Europe. The part played by the military after the declaration of peace is often overlooked and it is sometimes forgotten that service continued for some time after both VE (Victory in Europe) and VJ (Victory in Japan) days.

He was not a man of faith, but had read the Bible several times and was eloquent in argument when demanding physical proof of the existence of God. He served as a member of the Territorial Army for a period of time on his return from the battlefield, but as far as I am aware did not participate in military parades for Remembrance.

Eighty years on from the outbreak of the Second World War it is sacrifices like his and that of those who were not lucky enough to return from the battlefields of the world that should not be forgotten (along with others who have perished in conflicts before and since) as we approach Remembrance Day, particularly as the passage of time is now robbing the world of the last survivors of this great global conflict.

“Six years of his life were given to his country, living through the uncertainty of battlefield conflict and the stresses and strains of modern warfare.

Lynne McNeil

Editor