Betrayed Second World War veterans forced the Government into a humiliating public climbdown just hours after being told they would receive no cash to attend D-Day events this year. Charities helping heroes return to Normandy for the 81st anniversary in June were told in no uncertain terms that cash set aside for this year’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations was for official UK events only.
The statement broke an “explicit” promise to the Express that warriors would not have to worry about the cost of bed and board as they muster for a final salute on the beaches of Normandy and prepare to receive a hero’s welcome in Holland which they helped liberate in May 1945. A statement issued by the Department for Culture Media and Sport [DCMS] said: “Funding is for UK government events and not provided for overseas events.”
It sparked nationwide anger and fury from veterans and the charities representing them, with one describing it as ”morally unacceptable”.
Royal Navy hero Peter Kent, who served on HMS Adventure helping troops and supplies reach the invasion beaches in 1944 and who celebrates his 100th birthday this weekend, said: “I watched friends fall beside me fighting for freedom. We gave everything – our youth, our peace of mind, our brothers in arms. To be told the Government would help us honour them this year, only to have that promise torn away, feels like a betrayal. This isn’t just a funding cut – it’s the ultimate snub to those who never came home.”
But just hours later Labour MP Al Carns, the Minister for Veterans, was forced to issue a humiliating statement to address the shambles and said: “For the avoidance of doubt: our government will ensure the support is there for Second World War veterans to attend VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas this year.
“Veterans will be at the heart of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe in May. I’m pleased to confirm that the Government will work with veterans’ charities to ensure Second World War veterans can travel to commemorations this summer.”
It is thought that fewer than 200 British Second World War veterans are still alive, and of them only a handful who saw action on D-Day on June 6, 1944, and the bloody three-month Battle of Normandy that followed.
Charities representing them have for months raised concerns at the highest level that this could be the last year that many are able to pay their respects to the chums who fell beside them.
Spirit of Normandy Trust is taking seven veterans back to Normandy, while the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans is taking 25 heroes to Holland for the 80th anniversary of Dutch liberation on May 5 and to Northern France to honour D-Day the month after.
Facilitating the visits will cost the two charities, which are entirely reliant on public donations, around £150,000.
The chaos and confusion plunged the Government into meltdown and has overshadowed what promises to be a glorious spring and summer of commemorative events which, in many cases, is likely to be the last chance for veterans to make and receive a final salute.
After initially being told funding was in place, to the relief of charities charged with the mammoth logistical task of ensuring their safe passage, Downing Street was asked on April 4 to be “explicitly clear” cash would be made available to allow veterans to attend ceremonies both in the UK and overseas. When asked “is that correct?”, a spokesman told us: “Yes, that’s correct.
And asked specifically whether the events covered included Dutch liberation and D-Day, we were told: “Yes, this will encompass travel for the VE Day ceremonies.”
DCMS then said: “Funding is not available as a pot for charities to bid for support from and we encourage veterans interested in attending to contact the Royal British Legion [RBL].” It added: “Funding is for UK government events and not provided for overseas events.”
That unequivocal statement was then followed by a hastily-issued rebuttal from Mr Carns who took to X, formerly Twitter, shortly before midnight, in what amounted to a hugely embarrassing U-turn, the second on the issue, after Labour realised it had reneged on its initial promise to pay for travel, accommodation and welfare for all veterans wanting to attend ceremonies both here and abroad.
DCMS, which is coordinating May’s VE Day commemorations, Number 10, and the RBL have all refused to say how much money has been set aside.