VE Day: Veteran recalls moment peace was declared in Europe 75 years ago

VE Day: Veteran recalls moment peace was declared in Europe 75 years ago

A Second World War veteran has spoken about the moment he learned of the Allies' victory in Europe 75 years ago.

Charles Boyer, 94, lied about his age to join the Army in 1942, and served in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

On VE Day -– May 8, 1945 – he was stationed on Luneburg Heath near Hamburg, the site of the Third Reich's unconditional surrender in the Netherlands and north-west Germany.

Speaking about the moment he learned victory had been declared, Mr Boyer said: “Everybody threw their hats in the air and we had a drink.

Then we thought, we're going home.” Mr Boyer grew up in Spalding, Lincolnshire, and now lives in a Royal British Legion Industries assisted care facility in Maidstone, Kent.

He received France's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur, for his war efforts.