V-E Day celebrations 2010: veterans criticise lack of 'enthusiasm' to mark anniversary
The anniversary falls this Saturday and with many veterans now in their late eighties or nineties, veterans suggested that a special effort should have been made for what may be the last major anniversary for many.
The government was, however, unable to say on Monday whether it would be organising anything more than the usual events to mark the date carried out every year amid concerns they will be overshadowed by the election.
In Europe, by contrast, thousands of Canadian students, teachers, and veterans will travel to Holland to take part in an official ceremony which will be followed by a week of Dutch commemorative events.
On Sunday the French President Nicolas Sarkozy will attend a victory parade in commemoration of the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union.
Significant celebrations took place across Britain for the 50th anniversary in 1995 including an open-air concert in Hyde Park while street parties were organised in towns and villages across Britain.
Veterans suggested that something on a similar scale should have been organised this year to pay tribute to the 580,406 UK and Commonwealth Forces and 67,073 British civilians who lost their lives during the Second World War.
They also complained that the General Election was threatening to overshadow the celebrations and questioned whether it was respectful to those who died to hold the election so close to the anniversary marking the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Douglas Young, the executive chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, which represents both serving personnel and veterans, said the celebrations “could have been done better”.
“We feel it would have been much better to celebrate this significant anniversary with a little bit more enthusiasm,” he said.
“It is quite a significant date. We recognise, of course, that we have the new British Armed Forces Day which is a good thing.
"But we should not be forgetting about these World War Two veterans, some of whom fought in the most significant battles in living memory. It would have been nice to mark it in a slightly better way.”
He added: “For many of these veterans who fought in these significant battles, some won’t be around for much longer.
“We will likely not have many of them around for the next major anniversary.”
A service of commeration will take place at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, on Saturday. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the service.
But Gill Grigg, chairman of the war widows association, said: “If you look at the age group of the members involved a lot are just too frail. Fewer and fewer people are going."
She added that the election “hadn’t helped”.
Stan Procter, 87, who served with the 43rd West Country Division of the British Infantry, said he did not think enough was being organised.
“I haven’t heard any publicity for it at all,” he said.
"In the past I’ve had to travel to Holland to celebrate it and had a great time. Why was this week chosen for the election?"