Veteran recalls 'great' day war was declared

Published on Thursday 2 September 2010 18:14

AN RAF veteran recounted how he cheered when Britain declared war on Germany on the 71st anniversary of the Second World War announcement.

• From left, Sgt Ian Anderson, Cpl Tony Moore, who lost a leg during a training accident, and Sgt Mark Fairbrother from 2 Scots (Royal Highland Fusiliers) run repeated laps round Glasgow's George Square to raise funds for the troops Picture: Robert Perry

Joe Parker, 89, served with 602 Glasgow City Squadron throughout the conflict after joining the RAF as a 16-year-old.

He recalled cheering as then prime minister Neville Chamberlain announced that Britain was at war with Germany.

He said: "Myself and my mates were in the canteen having a cup of tea when the announcement came over the radio by the prime minister (Neville Chamberlain) that we were now at war with Germany and we all cheered.

"We thought it was great. We thought it would be a great adventure.

"It is sad to think we sat and cheered and thought it was going to be a wonderful time when you think of all the sons and daughters and fathers and mothers that gave their life because of this war.

"It was a terrible time. It seemed glorious and glamorous and funny things happened at times, but it was an experience I don't wish on anyone."

And he described the loss of British service personnel in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as "terrible".

He added: "It is my experience that war has to be avoided if at all possible."