VE Day stirs poignant memories for Ted, 99

A WORLD War II veteran has spoken for the first time about his war time memories.

- KALI LINDSAY

Ted Rutherford, 99, from Gateshead, was a gunner in the Royal Navy during WWII, with his ship based in the Pacific alongside four aircraft carriers providing cover for the Americans landing at Okinawa.

As the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Ted has spoken about how he was unable to celebrate when Hitler surrendered.

Speaking to the Royal British Legion, Ted said: "I'm not sure why I haven't told my story before, maybe I just haven't had the opportunity. I think my family are proud of me, which is all that matters, really. I didn't think anyone would be that interested!"

Ted joined the Royal Navy because he "wanted to see the world" and he was a gunner on HMS Howe, a V-class battleship, from 1942 until 1946.

But despite the VE celebrations back home, Ted's war didn't end on May 8, 1945, as he was sent to the Far East. He said: "I never got to celebrate because we were being attacked by suicide bombers in Japan. We heard over the radio that Hitler had surrendered and that they were partying in the streets back home, but our fleet was under attack, two of our ships were hit."