As we mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day I just wanted to take a moment to say how grateful I am to the generation who fought to free Europe from tyranny and provided those of us who came after with the opportunities to make our own choices (and mistakes) in life.

I’m grateful to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their tomorrow, for our today… and those who returned carrying the scars of all they’d seen.

I’m grateful for the men and women of the intelligence services who worked tirelessly to help win the war and reduce the number of lives lost, men and women whose contribution went unrecognised for far too long.

I’m grateful to the courage of the civilians whose strength and fortitude kept the country going in its darkest hours.

I can only hope that if the spectre of war was ever to raise its ugly head in my lifetime I would be as brave as those who brought about Victory in Europe 75 years ago!

Lest We Forget.

E