Express & Star

Arctic convoy veteran Sid on parade

A 92-year-old war veteran who took part in the Arctic convoys to Russia has spoken of his pride after attending a special church service at Westminster Abbey to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

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Sid Speke, who served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, represented the Apley Park Royal British Legion.

Bridgnorth-born Sid, who now lives in Sutton Maddock, also met the Queen and Prince Charles after being selected for the national VE70 memorial service on Saturday.

Sid, who still cycles six days a week and has been a member of the Royal British Legion for 65 years, decided to use a wheelchair for the day for comfort.

He was joined on his trip to the capital by his two sons, Maxwell and Stephen, their wives Carolyn and Alison, and his six grandchildren. During the ceremony Sid and Stephen were seated in the north transept opposite to the Royal Family, behind the Churchill family and alongside the Chelsea Pensioners.

Sid said: "I was 17 when the war started and when Dunkirk fell I joined the Home Guard, which I served in until the following August when I joined the Royal Navy.

"I was part of the war for nearly five years and it was important for me to attend to remember all those who served in the Russian company but didn't make it.

"My late wife, Ailsa, lost her only brother, Lesley Webb, who lived in Norton, in Normandy during the war so I always think it's important to remember him too.

"It was a great day, very well organised and I was even interviewed by the BBC whilst in London."

After the service Sid joined the parade of veterans and was wheeled by Stephen through Parliament Square, down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph and into Horse Guards Parade, where Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall took his salute.

After the parade Sid and his family joined other veterans and their families in St James' Park where the British Legion hosted a picnic lunch.

The veterans were joined by Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, the Prime Minister, senior members of the Armed Forces and government ministers.

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