Second World War veteran Alan Kennett, landed in Normandy as part of D-Day operations. Today he looks back on how he celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe.
At 18 years old, Alan volunteered to join the RAF during the height of the Second World War. His father, who was serving in the Royal Signals Corps at the time, had hoped Alan would follow in his footsteps. However, forging his own path, Alan travelled to RAF Penarth in South Wales to take the ‘King’s shilling’ and begin his training.
During his training, he moved between various locations, carrying out drills and physical training activities outside even during the winter months, dressed only in shorts.
He later began his Flight Mechanic Engineer course, which equipped him to service a wide range of piston engine aircraft for the squadron.
In the build-up to D-Day, Alan was part of the second tactical Airforce and moved on to an airfield near Ashford.
“We knew there was build up to an invasion of sorts, but we just got on with day-to-day duties. However, the conditions weren’t very comfortable, and we lived under canvas with eight men to a tent, with no sheets and no pillows – just a ground sheet.”
By May 1945, Alan was in Celle, Germany. On the evening of the 4th, he was in a station cinema when the doors burst open, and Johnny Johnson (Airfield Group Commanding Officer and Battle of Britain pilot) drove his Jeep through the doors with news of the German surrender, shouting “the war is over”.
The cinema erupted with joy, and a big party followed, filled with lots of drinking and celebration at the news.
“After the news, we hoped that meant we’d be going home, as we were concerned we’d be sent to the Far East. The war was still being fought there.”
After the war, Alan was demobbed in December 1946, and went on to marry his sweetheart, Rita. They were married for 62 years and had two children, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
.jpg?sfvrsn=ea395c9a_0 "Alan present day (99)")
When asked how he plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Alan told us, “If I’m well enough, I would like to be able not only to meet with my family, but to meet up with those who went through the same experiences – especially those I went to Normandy with in June 2024.
“It’s important that it’s remembered – those of us who went to war, and especially those who didn’t come back risked their lives for the freedom of not just Europe, but everywhere.”
Alan will play a special part in this year’s VE Day 80 commemorations, taking part in the ceremonial handover of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Torch for Peace during a procession from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.
As we look towards VE Day 80, the Royal British Legion is proud to share Alan’s story and to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations.
