Navy veteran's WWII memories turned into film

The video was added to the council's YouTube library in honour of Mr Foxton

A 102-year-old Royal Navy veteran's memories of World War Two have been turned into a film as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations of VJ Day.

South Kesteven District Council captured the story of Peter Foxon, from Deeping St James in Lincolnshire, who was a wireless telegraphist during the war.

Mr Foxon's time at sea included launching British troops towards the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and action against the Japanese in the Pacific.

Councillor Phil Dilks, the council's cabinet member for armed forces, said: "Not many people are left who fought for our freedom 80 years ago and more. We have to thank men like Peter for their service, and never forget the sacrifices made."

Mr Foxon served in the far east in 1945 as Britain gained victory over Japan

Mr Foxon served in the far east in 1945 as Britain gained victory over Japan.

He defied pressure to join the Army when he got his call up papers – thanks to his mother's advice to wear his Merchant Navy uniform.

"I always wanted to go into the Navy ever since I was a boy," he said.

"I had already qualified as a radio officer in the Merchant Marines but I got called up before I even got to a merchant ship."

He wore his Merchant Navy uniform for his interview and was released from the Army. He went straight off to the Royal Navy recruiting centre.

He said: "The uniform did the trick."

In 1943, Mr Foxon joined HMS Richmond on convoy duties to protect Allied ships carrying vital supplies between Britain and America.

As well as enemy fire, 20ft (6m) waves and the danger of submarines, he recalled a remarkable story of a dog rescue.

He said: "We had a ship's dog, a little terrier called Timo, who loved to race across the deck chasing waves.

"One day, after the deck had been freshly oiled with linseed, he slipped and went straight over the side."

Going against regulations, the crew turned the ship around and searched until they found Timo, weakly paddling away.

They stopped the engines and got him back on board "with a tot of rum".

HMS Nith took a direct hit and Mr Foxton's best friend was killed, along with nine others

In 1944, Mr Foxon's ship, HMS Nith, successfully launched soldiers of the Highland Division towards Gold Beach on D-Day, but tragedy struck three weeks later when the ship took a direct hit from a German aircraft drone packed with explosives while it was stationed off the French coast.

It killed his best friend, along with nine others.

"I volunteered to help recover the dead and we buried them at sea," he said.

By 1945, Mr Foxon was in the far east as part of the British Pacific Fleet and, with the Allied Invasion of Rangoon only days away, his ship, HMS Roebuck, encountered a Japanese convoy trying to escape.

It was here that Mr Foxon witnessed first hand the Japanese refusal to surrender.

He said: "We sank several Japanese boats one night and the next morning sighted one of the vessels with half a dozen Japanese clinging to it.

"Just as our sailors were pushing off in a lifeboat to rescue them, they blew themselves up, preferring to die rather than suffer the disgrace of being taken prisoner."

The video was added to the council's YouTube library in honour of Mr Foxton.

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