Willaim Jones, 99, from Staines, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Royal Naval Association for helping him to march as he had never attended the Cenotaph in London at Remembrance before.

William (Bill) Jones, served in the Pacific on a small island called HMS Nabaron.

Bill said: “This wasn't exactly a desert island paradise. Almost on the equator it was very hot and humid, the mosquitos carried malaria, and a small cut from the coral could end up as a sore that never seemed to heal. You could swim off the small beach in a lagoon but it was full of black and white venomous sea snakes. For most of the time we were there we had no fresh fruit or vegetables and lived off tinned and dehydrated food. Also, there was no fresh water on the island so drinking water had to be shipped in.”

Bill went to extraordinary lengths to sign up to serve his country,

Marching past the Churchill War Rooms on the way back to Horseguard’s Parade Ground on Remembrance Sunday. Bill is in the middle.

placeholder image — Marching past the Churchill War Rooms on the way back to Horseguard’s Parade Ground on Remembrance Sunday. Bill is in the middle.

“War broke out on my 14th birthday so that was the end of my schooling. I started work in the machine shop of a local engineering company in Staines, W. E. Sykes. At 17 I joined the Home Guard, but at 18 I could not join up because I was in a reserved occupation. I spoke to a shop steward about this and he remembered that I had been put on night shifts while I was 17, which was not allowed. This enabled me to go to an industrial tribunal who ruled that I could leave my employment, so then I was able to join the Royal Navy.”

The Royal Naval Association brings together everyone with a Naval story. Its aim is to foster comradeship and commemoration, particularly at this time of year when Remembrance focusses attention on those who have served their country and was delighted to help these WWII veterans realise their dream of marching in London on Remembrance Sunday.

RNA CEO, Bill Oliphant said: “We are so very proud to enable these WWII veterans to march with us this year. If any former member of Our Naval Forces wishes to attend the Cenotaph with us next year, please do get in touch and we will be delighted to assist.

“We would particularly like to thank Poppy Cabs, who assisted with transport, and the RBL, who organise the March and have been particularly accommodating to our older veterans.”

Bill has been granted lifetime membership of the Royal Naval Association and intends to return to the Cenotaph next year, with the help of the RNA , who has a veteran co-ordinator to enable WWII veterans to attend this event with ease.

If you are from a Naval background and would like to join the Royal Naval Association go to: royal-naval-association.co.uk/join-us

You can contact the VIP veteran co-ordinator on [email protected]