Centenarian veterans honored in city hall

On Wednesday 11th July, a unique gathering of some of the last surviving veterans who served in World War II took place at the Mansion House in Swansea.

Nine veterans from the region, with a combined age of over 900, attended the informal tea gathering, along with their families and caregivers.

They were Archie Thomas and Neville Bowen who served in the Royal Navy, David Jones from the Merchant Navy, Kath Morris who was stationed at Bletchley Park, Ron Horsey and Richard Pelzer from the Royal Engineers, Frederick Jeacock, who flew with the RAF, Idwal Davies of the Queens Royal Hussars and Ray Jones of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

The event was organised by Swansea City Council and formed part of Swansea’s Armed Forces Celebration. Events also took place at the Wales Airshow over the weekend, to celebrate the contributions of serving and former members of the armed forces.

The veterans were welcomed at the Mansion House by Swansea Mayor Paxton Hood-Williams and Swansea City Council Leader Rob Stewart.

Councillor Stewart said: “It was a privilege to meet these nine extraordinary people, ranging in age from 98 to 105, to thank them for all they have done for our country and to hear first-hand their incredible stories of courage and service.

“Swansea Council will continue to do everything we can to support our serving and former Armed Forces members and build on the special relationship we have with them.”

World War II Veterans Welcomed to Mansion House
(Images: Swansea Council)

Also present were Wendy Lewis, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Louise Fleet, the Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Melanie James, the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan and Colonel James Phillips, the Veterans Commissioner for Wales.

Royal Navy Commando Archie Thomas joined the Navy in 1942 and saw active service in the Mediterranean.

Neville (Nev) Bowen served as a gunner in the Royal Navy DEMS (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship) during the Second World War and took part in the Battle of the Atlantic. His medals include the Atlantic Star, Pacific Star and Italy Star.

Captain David Jones was commissioned as a Sea Cadet Officer on the day war broke out at the age of 15 and joined the crew of the Quebec City on the Atlantic Convoys. Sailing from Cape Town in the South Atlantic in 1942, his ship was hit and sunk by a German U-boat. The crew spent 14 days at sea in a lifeboat with almost no water until they reached land in Liberia. After weeks in a jungle village, they were finally rescued by a crew from the British Royal Navy.

Royal Engineer Richard Pelzer was an underwater dismantling diver who landed on Juno Beach in Normandy on 6 June 1944, helping to clear the area for the D-Day landings. He lost his best friend while clearing a fort on the beach and was then tasked with securing inland ports to cut off German supplies before being stationed in Singapore.

Frederick Jeacock joined the RAF in 1939 and after initially working on the barrage balloons protecting Swansea and its harbour, he was appointed as a flight engineer, flying over 30 missions.

Kath Morris was stationed at Bletchley Park, home to the famous World War II codebreakers who helped turn the tide of the war.

Royal Engineers Ron Horsey was stationed in Calais, France and then Burgleopold, Belgium, before joining 204 Field Company of the Royal Engineers in the Netherlands.

Idwal Davies was still at school when the war started, but learned to drive a 40-ton Churchill tank in 1944 after being called up. He joined the Queens Royal Hussars, part of the army of occupation in Italy.

Raymond Jones of the Royal Army Medical Corps spent most of his service as a medic on a troop ship, caring for servicemen returning from the Far East, many of whom were former Japanese prisoners of war. His ship called at Nagasaki after the atomic bombing.

Mr. Jones said: “It was a lovely day today, really lovely.”

Veterans Commissioner for Wales, Colonel Phillips, said: “The veterans are very grateful for the support they have received from Swansea City Council and the people of Swansea during Armed Forces Week.

“We are extremely grateful for today. It is incredible to have so many World War II veterans in one place, representing all the services and a veteran from Bletchley Park.

“You can see from the camaraderie today how much they enjoyed it.”

(Main image: Swansea Council)

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