RAF Veteran’s Memories of WWII Hero This VE Day

As the 80th anniversary of VE Day approaches, Lancashire veteran Ian Hewitt, who received life-changing injuries himself in service, will turn his thoughts to his grandfather, who served in and survived World War II.

Ian and his family are extremely proud of Norman Hewitt, who signed up in 1939 at the age of 19, with the Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry – originally a cavalry unit – along with his best friend George Carney.

The regiment started training with horses but eventually became a mechanised unit of the 77th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery.  In preparation for D-Day, Corporal Hewitt’s regiment became part of the 8th Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA), which could be moved quickly about the battlefield and destroy enemy artillery. Norman landed in Normandy, off Courseulles-Sur Mer, supporting Canadian forces at Juno Beach.

Ian said: “I can remember my grandfather saying that when he was on the landing craft surrounded by his mates and he looked out at the devastation ahead of him, he thought there was no way he was going to survive that day. His two lasting memories were of the burning landing craft and the smell.”

Norman’s regiment was involved in several operations across northern Europe as they headed towards northern Germany. When Germany surrendered in May 1945, his regiment was involved in dealing with displaced people, German prisoners, and released Allied prisoners. He was demobbed in 1947.

“Remembering the generation of soldiers and families from World War II is crucial.”

Ian added: “My grandfather was a chocoholic. He wasn’t interested in his cigarette ration, but he was absolutely certain that if he was to die when they landed in Normandy, he wouldn’t be leaving his two-day ration pack of chocolate unopened. He managed to scoff down his rations and went on to fight and survived the first day.

“That night though, he was absolutely exhausted and thought he’d have a bit of chocolate to reward himself for the day, until he realised that he’d eaten it all. He spent the rest of the evening trying to trade his cigarette rations in return for more chocolate.”

As VE Day approaches Ian has stressed the importance of continuing to commemorate and remember such events, even though they were 80 years ago.

He said: “World War II was one of the most significant and devastating conflicts in human history. Remembering the generation of soldiers and families from World War II is crucial. Armed Forces personnel and their families made immense sacrifices. Many lost their lives, endured severe hardships, and faced unimaginable challenges.

“By remembering them, we honour their bravery, dedication, and the ultimate sacrifices they made for our freedom. It also helps us learn valuable lessons about the consequences of war, the importance of peace, and the need to prevent such conflicts in the future – especially in the turbulent world we currently live in.

“Remembering this period helps us understand our collective past and the values that emerged from it, such as resilience, unity, and the pursuit of justice.”

Ian also signed up to fight for his country.  However, just two months after joining the RAF as a trainee pilot he ruptured his spine during training and, in 2003, he was medically discharged from the RAF, aged just 24. He suffers from chronic pain because of his injury and was diagnosed in 2016 with a functional neurological disorder.

Since his injury, Ian’s had his own challenges and has had to battle to get compensation to support his day-to-day living. He’s been supported throughout by Help for Heroes, which he credits with helping him to deal with his situation. He is now working with the Charity to try to bring about change, so other veterans don’t have to face the same struggles he has, and to get the compensation they deserve.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day will take place against a backdrop of increased defence spending and recruitment, whilst existing support for veterans is going to be further compromised with cuts to disability benefits.

Help for Heroes is actively recruiting new volunteers. To register your interest in becoming a Help for Heroes volunteer go to helpforheroes.org.uk/give-support/volunteer.