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Ken West鈥檚 Story

The week before VE Day Ken West from Leicester was in Holland fighting German troops when a number of them surrendered.

There were rumours of a ceasefire , and Ken was sent home on leave. Before he left Holland, he was told that even though the war might end, he would still have to return at the end of his leave.

Ken was pleased to get home, but dismayed when he found he would have to leave again on 8 May and miss all the celebrations. He reluctantly travelled back to Holland, but on the way, he and other troops managed to celebrate for a few hours in Armentiers with wine, women and song .

Ken is now ninety , and will travel back to Holland with other war veterans in 80 London taxis at the beginning of May.

Image: Ken then, and now

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4 minutes

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