WW2 veteran: 'We thought we were going home'

Wally Newman, 99, served with the Royal Navy during World War Two

A World War Two veteran has described the disappointment he felt that successive victory celebrations did not mark the end of his war.

Wally Newman, 99, left home to serve with the Royal Navy in 1943 but would not return until 1947, two years after the end of the war.

He said he and his crew "thought we were going home" when Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945, but were instead sent to the Far East, where fighting would continue for a further three months.

Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at a flag-raising ceremony and remembrance service in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, he said it was important to remember those who never came home at all.

"We're all sad that they never came back. For what they did out there, we truly thank them and I salute them all," he said.

Wally Newman (right) joined the Royal Navy at 16 after lying about his age

On D-Day, he was aboard his ship, near Malta.

"There was a buzz going round that something was going on, but we didn't know what," he said.

"We thought we were going home, but it didn't happen. We went out to the Far East. But you have to go where you're told."

Mr Newman said he felt "disappointment" that he was not sent home, and "forgotten" while celebrations were under way in Europe.

However, even the arrival of VJ Day on 15 August did not mean he and his crewmates could return home.

"Even when the war was over in 1945, it wasn't over for us," he said.

"We still had to go out minesweeping, and that took another couple of years.

"It was very dangerous, obviously. But the point is that the mines are there and they've got to be swept."

HMS Moon was stationed in Malta on D-Day

Mr Newman, who served on HMS Moon, was stationed around the Mediterranean, North Africa and Asia in the years after VJ Day.

He remembers helping restore British rule in Singapore in September 1945 in an operation led by Lord Louis Mountbatten.

"That was quite thrilling. I think the main thing was that we were all going to meet Lord Mountbatten because he was in charge," he said.

"There was a march past and he gave a speech. He said, 'Well, come on lads, let's go and finish the job.'"

Despite "fighting disease and the elements" while risking his life minesweeping, Mr Newman said he looked back fondly on his wartime service.

"I really liked being in the Royal Navy and I think most sailors did," he said.

"I don't know how the Army feels about it. Mealtimes were mealtimes and we got plenty to eat. I have memories I'll never forget."