Cash for veterans to revisit theatre of war

Published on 15/08/2012 00:14

SIXTY-SEVEN years after the end of the Second World War, the Big Lottery Fund is awarding grants to veterans across the UK to return to the places where they served their country.

On 15 August, 1945, the Japanese surrender to the Allies brought a final end to fighting that had cost close to 450,000 British lives and seen the incarceration of more than 55,000 British as prisoners of war. In the following months, thousands of servicemen came home from the horrors of the Far East conflict.

Maureen McGinn, the chairwoman of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said the Heroes Return 2 programme would allow communities to recognise the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country.

To date more than £25 million has been awarded to more than 51,000 Second World War veterans.