As we celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, CDRA’s executive committee member Rob Robb shares some details about his family’s wartime experiences.
“My dad was a sapper, a member of the Royal Engineers. He survived the beaches of Dunkirk and was then sent to Egypt in 1942. My mum must have been pleased to see him when he returned from Egypt in 1945 as I was born in September 1946!
“My father-in-law, George Taylor, joined the Royal Navy at 17½ in 1942. He sailed on four destroyers, one being HMS Caesar, as part of its contribution as escort duty for the Atlantic and Russian convoys.
“On VE Day, whilst the country celebrated, George was sailing through the English Channel on HMS Caesar on its way to Indonesia to fight in the Battle of Surabaya. This major battle was fought between regular infantry and militia of the Indonesian nationalist movement and the British and the British Indian Troops against the re-imposition of Dutch Colonial Rule. As George had done the Combined Operations Course, he was put ashore at the peak of the battle in November 1945. The ship then sailed on to see the surrender of Japan.”
At this year’s Celebrate Chessington (29th May, 12-4pm, Churchfields, free admission) the 80th Anniversary of VE Day will be commemorated with a display of military vehicles.