Normandy Veteran.

[10ClarionSt]

Hi folks. Please look and listen to this Normandy veteran. He's a friend of mine called Rolf Monteith. He's 96 years old and still very lively. I was with him in Plymouth last weekend. Rolf was recently awarded the Ushakov Medal by the Russian govt. as he is also a veteran of the Arctic Convoys, serving on HMS Hardy. Rolf thinks he is going to meet President Putin sometime this year, but I'm definitely not convinced about that! Although Putin has met with some Arctic veterans, so who knows? This video was filmed four years ago. I know it won't interest some people, but Rolf is a very engaging and modest person. Thanks.
https://youtu.be/hpZd0Nev6MA

[Sqad]

Fantastic Clarion , what an example to humanity and doesn't it show the modesty of that generation who at the drop of a hat laud inconsequential achievements on AB for the whole world to see.
Different times, different values.

Well done and thanks for posting.

[Sqad]

Should have typed " compared to THIS generation."
Sorry.

[Jordyboy9]

Yes Sqad different times different values your right,still some lovely people left from world war 2,sadly my sister died in January in her 97th year active service with the ATS 1939-45.

[waterboatman]

We should never forget any of the battles of WW2. Or the men and women that fought them.

[maggiebee]

Will let my niece see this - her dad was a veteran of the Arctic convoys and she still has close links with them. Thanks for posting.

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks folks. Rolf is still on a mission that has baffled him for 76 years: to find out why HM Ships Glorious, Ardent and Acasta were allowed to detach from the fleet off Norway in June 1940, and sail straight into the path of 2 German battleships and subsequently, why no-one went to their rescue. Personally, I don't think he, or us, will ever know the real truth. It was too long ago and there is no-one around now who cares enough. Sad. But thanks again for your replies.

[Sqad]

Clarion...H.M.S Glorious was an aircraft carrier and hence had planes including spotter planes. Wasn't there a bit of a bust up between the Captain of Glorious and the Flight commander?

[Mamyalynne]

Wise and well spoken words from Rolfe, have bookmarked to show my Grandson who has a keen interest in such matters.

[10ClarionSt]

Yes Squad. There was. But there are many theories about the circumstances surrounding the loss of the ship and her escort destroyers. I don't have space, or the time, to cover it here. There is book, still in print, called Carrier Glorious by John Winton, which covers many things about the battle, the loss and theories surrounding what was the Royal Navys' largest loss of life in any single naval battle of WW2. I don't think we will ever the know the answers.

[Peter Pedant]

jesus some people had terrible wars

one 90 y o said to me: "o I had a wonderful war - all parties as a 19 y o in Rome at the end of the campaign - a wonderful time. o god I know your father peter spent 5 y in a POW camp .... it was different for some of us...."

[Peter Pedant]

// Personally, I don't think he, or us, will ever know the real truth.//

if it a cack up no we will never know the truth

see operation jericho where they bombed the amiens jail and the French said - no it is NOT worth the sacrifice....
no one ordered it apparently .....
sort of four aircraft just took off full of bombs and ....

with some other mistake
MI5 / 6 rivalry - or 9/11 did the CIA withhold info from the FBI ( yes apparently ) or Philby or Blunt
one spook commented
Never underestimate sheer incompetence as a cause or factor in a disaster
( a lesson for Manchester and London bridge)