Captain Tom Moore recalls VE Day in 1945: ‘It was very special'

Second World War veteran remembers celebrations for victory in Europe as 'very happy' but says he was concerned for 'comrades' still fighting in Asia

Captain Tom Moore, the Second World War veteran who has raised more than £32m for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis, has recalled the "very happy" celebrations of VE Day in 1945.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day, otherwise known as Victory in Europe Day.

The occasion commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany to the allied forces, which signalled an end to the Second World War in Europe.

Captain Moore, who raised millions for NHS Charities Together by walking around his garden for fundraising challenge for his 100th birthday, served in the British army in India and Burma during the war.

Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Friday, Captain Moore said VE Day was “a very, very happy day”.

Comparing VE Day in 1945 to the commemoration 75 years later, the centenarian said: “It’s a very special day that is celebrating the end of a very fearsome war in Europe.

“But today is a very fine day, the sun is shining on us too, so I think we all need to be very happy that the war in Europe did come to an end.”

He added: “It was a very important day and everyone concerned was absolutely very pleased that this was the end... the bombing of London, the bombing of other cities... had come to an end.”

However, Captain Moore also recalled his concern for his fellow servicemen, some of whom were still at war.

“At the time I was very concerned that all my comrades I had left in Burma were still fighting,” Captain Moore said.

“My thoughts were with them because although there were great celebrations here all my comrades were still fighting in Burma with the Japanese.”

While VE Day in 1945 marked the surrender of Nazi Germany to the allied forces, fighting continued elsewhere in the world.

The Second World War came to an official end on 2 September, following the surrender of Japan.