LONDON (AP) — The long goodbye for Queen Elizabeth II is a reminder of a broader truth playing out with little fanfare across Britain: The nation is bidding farewell to the men and women who fought the country’s battles during World War II.
Elizabeth, who famously saved ration coupons to make her wedding dress in 1947, led a ceremony of remembrance for all the nation’s fallen service personnel each year on the anniversary of the end of World War I.
The Royal Air Force says it knows of only one surviving Battle of Britain pilot, the men Winston Churchill immortalized as “the few” who helped turn the tide of the war. Group Captain John Hemingway celebrated his 103rd birthday in July.Among those who died this year were Henriette Hanotte, who ferried downed Allied pilots across the French border as they made their way home.
But the princess, who began her war work at 14 with a broadcast to displaced children and later tended a vegetable garden as part of the government’s “Dig for Victory” program, got her way.She enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in February 1945 and trained to become a military truck driver and mechanic. The ATS was the largest of the auxiliary services deploying women to non-combat rolls such as clerks, drivers and dispatch riders to free up men for front line duties.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2 police hurt in London stabbing, unrelated to queen eventsLONDON (AP) — Two London police officers were hospitalized after being stabbed in the city's busy West End on Friday, the Metropolitan Police force said. The attack is not being treated as terrorism.
Read more »
LONDON DIARY: Reflections from the queue to mourn the queenLONDON (AP) — A foreign correspondent, a consultant, a businessman, a retired accountant and his wife stand in a line for nearly eight hours. That is how this story begins, once I claim my spot among a growing queue of mourners coming from all corners of the United Kingdom and the world to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II in England’s capital.
Read more »
WATCH: Man tackled to the ground by police after running at Queen Elizabeth's casket in LondonSecurity standing watch at Queen Elizabeth II's casket Friday night tackled a man who rushed the casket to touch it.
Read more »
Jason Kenney waiting 14 hours in line in London to pay respects to the QueenThe Alberta premier — who is in London entirely at his personal expense — said he was doing briefings and work calls from the line and he would be back in Edmonton on Monday royal queen
Read more »
New Yorkers living in London say sense of unity after Queen Elizabeth II's death is similar to the aftermath of Superstorm SandyPeople could be standing in line to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin for 24 hours. Some customs during the U.K.'s period of mourning can seem incredibly foreign for some Americans. AliBaumanTV got insight from some New Yorkers who moved to London.
Read more »