War heroes to mark 80th anniversary of conflict's end

FROM D-Day heroes to the brilliance of the Bletchley Park codebreakers, a group of extraordinary men and women will today gather in quiet pride and solemn remembrance to help Swansea mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

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Towns and cities across the UK will today mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day - the day the Second World War officially ended. Here we tell the stories of some of the surviving wartime heroes who will be helping to mark the occasion in Swansea

All from South West Wales, the veterans not only endured the hardships of the Second World War but actively shaped its outcome through bravery, selflessness and sacrifice.

They'll be joining city leaders and civic dignitaries in a VJ Day 80 Commemoration event at Swansea's Guildhall to mark 80 years since the Japanese surrender that ended the Second World War.

The event will also include representatives from military associations in South West Wales.

Among the guests of honour will be Richard Pelzer, Ron Horsey and Captain David Cledlyn Jones three proud Swansea veterans whose war service left indelible marks on their lives and their communities.

Born in Llansamlet, 101-year-old Richard served with the Royal Engineers where he specialised in diving and underwater demolitions.

His war journey took him to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, where he worked under fire to secure the Mulberry Harbour system a temporary portable harbour developed by the British Admiralty and War Office that helped the Allies refuel and regroup.

Richard said: "When working we were fired on from everywhere. They were trying to shoot at the Mulberry Harbour, but a couple of shells dropped short and wiped out a whole company of engineers.

"After D-Day, we spent the night in a little garage which was close to Juno Beach.

"I lost my best friend there on the beach while we were doing a job on one of the invasion fortresses. I tried to help him, but it was too late he was gone."

Richard later helped liberate prisoners of war in Singapore and stayed there for 18 months to support their recovery and provide burials for the fallen.