Moving dignity of the Greatest Generation

SUCH poignancy, such dignity, such humility. VE Day 80: The Nation Pays Tribute was made special by Second World War veterans such as Alan Kennett, who served with the RAF in Normandy and is 101 this month. Asked how he felt about starting the military parade, Lichfield-born Alan replied, "I don't know until I get there. I'll tell you afterwards.

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That's the humour that saw us through our darkest hour.

Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes of the Coldstream Guards told Alan, "Thank you and your generation for securing our freedom 80 years ago.

"May I have your permission to start the parade, Sir, please?"

"Carry on!" he replied.

We saw a flyover led by a wartime Lancaster bomber, the Red Arrows. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, military marching bands, and (below) Timothy Spall's moving rendition of Churchill's speech from May 8 1945:

"I say that, in the long years to come, not only will the people of this island, but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we have done and they will say, Do not despair. Do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward and die if need be. Unconquered."

Who could not be moved?