VE Day 80 - DHU Marks the Day

As a Gold Award holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, DHU is proud to mark and support the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day.

Our people have been invited to organise events within their teams to mark the day in a way that suits their circumstances, environment and commitments to providing patient care, that makes them feel included and involved.

Since signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant in January 2023, we have worked hard to ensure colleagues who have and continue to serve are represented, supported and encouraged at DHU. This includes acknowledging milestones, events and occasions that may be of emotional significance.

We recently set up our Armed Forces, Reservists and Veterans Employee Network to help represent this group of staff. Network member Carl Keeble who is an Advanced Clinical Trainer at DHU, explained what events such as VE Day mean to them.

Carl told us: “All major event anniversaries evoke significant and often difficult memories for me. At this time in 1982 I was involved in the conflict in the South Atlantic and I continue to experience the effects of those events to this day.

“Ten years ago I marked the 70^th Anniversary of D-Day with my Father-in-Law, visiting a poppy field in Normandy. He was a 6^th airborne veteran and his unit served at D-Day and in Operation Market Garden in Holland. We regularly took him back to both places and his ashes are in the Airborne Cemetery at Ranville, Normandy.

“We owe so much to his generation, and we must never forget their sacrifices.”

Rachel Hodgett is a DHU Paramedic based at Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre, she added: “As VE day approaches, I remember the sacrifices made by former comrades and those who served during the second World War.

“As an RAF veteran, I consider the RAF's contribution of VE day in the Battle of Britain supporting ground troops. On a trip to The Battle of Britain memorial in Capel-le-Ferne several years ago it was very humbling thinking what took place in the skies above me all those years ago.”

Debbie Peach is an Advanced Practitioner and Chair of DHU’s Armed Forces, Reservists and Veterans Network, she added: “As a nursing veteran, I would particularly like to acknowledge and remember the brave and selfless contributions of nursing and medical personnel who played a crucial role during and after World War II. Their dedication in caring for the wounded, in the most difficult and dangerous situations, and their wartime experiences deserve recognition and remembrance.

“I am proud to have served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, and it remains an honour and privilege to look after our veterans. Their stories, bravery and comradeship are truly inspirational. 

DHU Chief Executive Stephen Bateman added: “As a supporter and ally of our Armed Forces colleagues and partners, DHU stands shoulder to shoulder with those who have and continue to serve. With each passing year it becomes more important to remember those who gave their lives and sacrificed so much and to have their stories told.

“It makes me proud to hear the stories of our own people who have served and the strong links we continue to forge. Like them, I hope we can all take a moment to understand, reflect and never forget what they stood for.”