'No one gave their lives - they had them taken'

Ken Foster was in the Royal Navy on VE day - but the job wasn't done, they went to liberate Norway

"When people talk about those who 'gave their lives' - it really upsets me to hear that expression. No one gave their lives, they had their lives taken and they risked their lives."

Ken Foster, 99, was on one of the Royal Navy ships that liberated Norway in 1945.

As he looks back 80 years on from the first VE Day, The 99-year-old veteran, from North Bradley in Wiltshire, said he is proud of his role in the conflict.

But he added: "I risked mine [his life]. But I didn't with the intention of giving it. I might have lost it."

Ken (left) started in the navy in the "boy service"

Mr Foster joined the Royal Navy when he was just 17.

"In 1940 I was a telegram boy. Then at 16 I heard you join the boy service in the Royal Navy so I went and volunteered. My parents were furious," he said.

When it was VE day, he remembers being aboard his ship and there being rum to celebrate - but not for him. He was 19 and you had to be 20 to get the alcohol.

"I was given a glass of lime juice," he recalled.

The Royal Family of Norway returned on a British ship after the liberation - the HMS Norfolk

As HMS Viceroy and other vessels headed towards Norway, minesweepers were in front of them as they approached the port at Trondheim.

Mr Foster remembered being unsure of what to expect as they approached the shore.

"We thought the Germans might want to carry on with the war."

He saw a senior German officer sitting a deckchair, smoking, and plenty of Russian prisoners of war who were happy to see the allied forces.

Mr Foster told the BBC the living conditions on ships "were worse than the Germans". He was on a destroyer originally built in 1917 which was cold and wet.

"It was very uncomfortable. The modern sailors wouldn't accept it," he added.

Norway has recognised those in the British military who were part of the liberation

Among his medals and historical papers from the time, which includes the Norway medal of honour, Mr Foster also has a letter from Winston Churchill.

It thanked the crew of HMS Viceroy for sending over some brandy, which the sailors found after destroying a German U-boat.

"A cannister floated up which should have contained an inflatable life raft but instead of that there were one or two cases of German schnapps."

The decision was made to send some to the Prime Minister.

Winston Churchill sent a thank you note to the HMS Viceroy for some brandy

Mr Foster said he is "very proud" of the part he played in the war, but it did not come without tragedy for his family, as his brother Gordon died.

"His reward is a military grave in Italy. I'll never forget the sadness it created for my mother.

"I thought I don't want this to happen to me now. I don't want my mother to go through this again.

"He wasn't a fighting man, he was called up to the army. He was a gentleman."

Mr Foster said he feels lucky to have his memories still and said it "feels like yesterday".

"I feel as though if some of my shipmates were to walk along the road now, I'd consider it natural, as if they ought to be there."

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