Britain's surviving World War Two heroes secure incredible victory after Labour 'betrayal'

Second World War heroes have won a stunning Remembrance Day victory - securing all battlefield commemoration costs in perpetuity.

On the eve of the most significant day of the year for Britain's Armed Forces, veterans from the greatest generation have been given a "cast-iron" Ministry of Defence promise all future overseas trips will be fully funded.

It means giants from the 1939-1945 conflict will be able to honour pals who fell across the Channel fighting for freedom until they are no longer able to do so.

Dorothea Barron, 101, who joined the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1943 and taught semaphore to soldiers ahead of the D-Day landings, said: "At my age, people often ask why I still make the journey to Normandy and the Netherlands. But it's not about me - it's about them, the ones who never came home. It gives us the chance to stand together, to honour our friends where they fell and to say, 'You are not forgotten.'

"On Remembrance Sunday, I feel it more deeply than ever - we don't go to the continent to remember war, we go to remember the peace they gave us, and to make sure their names live on in the hearts of the next generation."

King Charles will lead the nation in honouring its war dead at the annual wreath-laying service and march past the Cenotaph.

Among those heading the parade of Second World War veterans through Whitehall in central London will be D-Day lionhearts, former Royal Marine Jim Grant and Mervyn Kersh, who fought with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, both 100, and Royal Navy hero Henry Rice, 99.

All three will be among those hoping to travel to Europe to pay their respects next year but with most veterans now at least 100 years old, the many are becoming the few.

The top-level funding pledge is a monumental victory for the campaigning Express and its army of readers and means heroes will now be able to participate in events marking the anniversaries of Dutch Liberation, D-Day, and Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied battle immortalised in the 1977 epic A Bridge Too Far.

For many, next year's trinity of commemorations will be a valedictory salute.

The news is also a major boost to charities already planning the trips because they receive no statutory funding, existing entirely on fundraising and public donations.

Between them Spirit of Normandy Trust and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans are hoping to take 20 veterans to mark the 81st anniversary of Dutch Liberation in May, the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy Landings in Northern France in June, and Operation Market Garden in September.

Despite their age and mobility, indefatigable veterans see the cross-Channel pilgrimages as highlights each year and for decades they have been immoveable dates in their diaries.

The combined cost of the trips, including travel, food and accommodation, a carer for each veteran, and medical assistance, is around £500,000.

Richard Palusinski, Chairman of Spirit of Normandy Trust, said: "This is a right and just decision and is warmly welcomed by the veteran community. My sincere thanks goes to the Express and its readers for their unwavering commitment and understanding."

The MoD's pledge comes after the Government was accused of "betraying" the memories of the war dead by initially reneging on a commitment to cough up for overseas remembrance ceremonies.

The tab for this year's trips - the year in which Britain marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day - was eventually picked up but only after a humiliating U-turn.

In April Number 10 said money would be available for European commemorations only for that promise to be contradicted by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, which said funding was not provided for "overseas events".

Veterans called snub the "ultimate betrayal" with the resulting backlash forcing Veterans Minister Al Carns into an about-turn.

The MoD told the Express it "had listened" to the resulting anger with its commitment recognising the "profound importance of enabling veterans to pay their respects at the sites where they served and where their comrades fell".

On Monday the Government will publish its Veterans Strategy which will "transform government support for heroes" and outline plans to recognise veterans as national assets.

Louise Sandher-Jones, Minister for Veterans and People, said: "Having attended the Afghanistan memorial event at the National Memorial Arboretum and felt the power of marking such anniversaries alongside those you served with, I understand how vital these occasions are for our Second World War veterans too. That's why this government is committed to funding travel support for (veterans) attending overseas remembrance events, starting next year.

"This is about ensuring that those who gave so much can return to honour the friends they lost while they still can. Our forthcoming Veterans Strategy will set out how we're putting veterans at the heart of this government's priorities - and supporting our Second World War generation to attend these commemorations is where that commitment begins."

Only a handful of 1939-45 bravehearts will be fit enough to travel next year and beyond but they remain desperate to honour their fallen chums at least one last time.

D-Day warrior Ken Hay, 100, who was captured and held as a prisoner of war, said: "I will go back to Normandy as long as I am fit and able to do so.

"We are the lucky ones who returned home as so many made the supreme sacrifice. While we can, we will always salute them."

Don Turrell, 100, returns each year to visit the graves of pals William Carr, 19, and Robert Bremner, 29, who perished fighting with The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in 1944.

He said: "Trips and events with the Taxi Charity are always truly wonderful. They give us the chance to remember, to share stories, and to feel part of a very special family.

"I'm determined to be at the commemorations in Normandy and the Netherlands. While I can I want to remember, to pay my respects, and to raise a salute to the comrades we lost. We must never forget."

The Royal British Legion estimates just 8,000 British Second World War veterans are alive with that number set to dwindle to fewer than 300 within a decade.

Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity, said: "Even after all these years we are still meeting remarkable men and women who served in the Second World War who would love the chance to travel with us for acts of remembrance in the Netherlands and Normandy. We would be delighted to hear from other veterans who might like to get involved with the charity and be part of these very special commemorations."

*If you are, or know a Second World War veteran who would like to join a commemorative trip, email info@taxicharity.org

This year's Second World War commemorations in Europe reminded the nation of the importance of coming together to honour those who saved our country from Nazi tyranny 80 years ago.

In my role as a Defence Minister, I have had the privilege to attend several commemorative events and stand alongside serving personnel, survivors and veterans from Britain and eight other nations.

Standing on the site where Allied soldiers bore witness to humanity's darkest hours whilst marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen in Germany this year is a moment that will always live with me.

Watching hundreds of paratroopers descend upon Commemoration Square on Ginkel Heath in the Netherlands last year was not only a poignant recreation of Operation Market Garden, but an outstanding display of our enduring military cooperation.

These events strengthen our ties with NATO allies, but also at a human level, recognise the extraordinary courage and contribution of Allied forces in achieving peace.

As part of our Government's commitment to renewing the nation's contract with those who have served, I'm pleased to tell Express readers that we have listened, and we will fund those remaining veterans of the Second World War who wish to travel to overseas commemorative events next year and beyond.

Our Veterans Strategy published on Monday will outline further our ambitions for celebrating veterans and recognising them as a national asset.

While we can never repay their generation, we are determined to make sure our veterans are not left out of pocket for such events. We want to help them to remember, reconnect and pay their respects in the place where so many of their friends and brave British soldiers gave their tomorrow for our today.

Lord Vernon Coaker is Minister of State for Defence