Plea to ‘stop and reflect’ on cost of war ahead of VE Day 80th anniversary

There have been calls for people to stop and reflect on the human cost of war, as the UK gears-up to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day in exactly 80 days.

Lady Walmsley, vice chair of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, told Sky News: “There are fewer and fewer people alive today who remember World War Two. But the war that is being fought in Ukraine would be very familiar to the people that fought back in those days.

“It’s the same thing. It’s people’s identity and people’s freedom. And, you know, we have to support them. We have to defend what is right for us.”

The charity held an event outside the Royal Albert Hall in London, complete with a full-size replica Spitfire, to mark 80 days until the anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Tuesday 8 May 1945 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe – known as VE Day – when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender.

Meanwhile, a Pipe Major preparing for 80 days of piping to commemorate the 80th anniversary has urged people to “stop for a few minutes and reflect” on the human cost of war.

The pipe marathon will see 20 pipers taking turns to play at different locations around the country on each of the 80 days leading up to the anniversary.

It will culminate with a performance of Celebratum, which was specially written for the commemoration, by Pipe Major Lady Jane Macrae in St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 7 May.

The performance will be part of a service to bless the lamp that will be used to light the first of more than 1,000 beacons around the country to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe.

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Lady Jane said remembering the sacrifices and devastation of the world wars is vital to ensuring nothing like it ever happens again.

“I think everybody needs to stop for a few minutes and reflect on what exactly it does mean, how many people died, how many young men lost their arms and their limbs, and to be perfectly honest, are still doing so,” she said.

Lady Walmsley also had a message to military personnel at a time of uncertainty about the war in Ukraine and the potential for UK forces to be deployed to bolster security.

“I think it’s really important to remember that, as in years ago in this country, people joined the armed forces voluntarily to serve and protect us.

“No one who joins the armed forces should ever have to battle alone. We are here for them. We are here behind them.”