WORLD War Two veteran Peggy Bentley, aged 104 from Lymm, has revealed her wartime photographs and memories for the first time as the nation celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The RBL was leading the celebrations with an 80th Anniversary Tea Party and Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, bringing together the largest gathering of Second World War veterans on VE Day, Thursday 8 May.
Speaking to the RBL, Peggy, who lives at a care home in Lymm, said: “I have never told my story, or shown my pictures, I didn’t think anyone would be that interested!”
Peggy was an officer in the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) in charge of catering at Driffield air base in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Peggy said: “My role was to source food supplies, prepare food packages for the pilots setting off on bombing raids, and ensure meals were prepared for ground staff and prisoners of war.”
Peggy found love on the home front during World War Two, as she met her husband Ben, a rear gunner, on the air base. She said: “I remember asking Ben, ‘Were you never afraid?’ and he said, ‘We were all frightened. Anyone who says they were not telling lies’.”
Ben died more than 20 years ago and the couple had a son Roger, who sadly died in his 50s.
Peggy and her catering team produced a giant cake to mark VE Day in 1945. She said: “I remember we had a dance that night. As part of the celebrations, my cooks were asked to bake a huge cake with lights around it.
“The hangars had been emptied so we made a cake that was so heavy we had to strengthen the tables to put the cake on it. We had ingredients, because we had been keeping a little bit back each week. I can’t remember what it tasted like, but it looked incredible!”
After the War, Peggy and Ben moved to Wiltshire where Ben worked for Clark’s Shoes.
Great-niece Frances Veltkamp from Grappenhall, who visits Peggy several times a week, said: “I am immensely proud of Peggy, she is so modest about her contribution during the War, but thanks to the RBL, people can now share in her memories.”
Peggy added: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and should remind us all of what we owe those who fought and those who lost their lives. I hope everyone joins in the spirit of the celebrations the Royal British Legion is laying on for the country.”
Peggy and ben on holiday
THE VE Day cake made by Peggy
