SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity sends a Spitfire to Central London to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of VE Day

18 February 2025

On Monday morning, SSAFA marked 80 days until its upcoming VE Day 80 concert on 8 May with a display of a full-size replica Spitfire outside the Royal Albert Hall. World War II veterans and other special guests were invited to mark the occasion.

The Spitfire was displayed just outside the northwestern entrances to the Hall and shone brilliantly in the clear morning sun. In attendance was 100-year-old Royal Navy Wren Ruth Barnwell, 98-year-old Normandy veteran Henry Rice, and 87-year-old evacuee Doreen Simson. They chatted with media and took photos in front of the iconic fighter aircraft, a reminder of the few still with us with lived experiences of World War II.

Also in attendance was veteran Harry Clark, the winner of BBC’s ‘The Traitors’ Series 2, as well as distinguished guests of SSAFA. Lady Alex Walmsley, National Vice Chair at SSAFA, gave interviews on the importance of remembering those who served in WWII and the lessons learnt from the war. Dean Knowles, an Army veteran who turned to SSAFA in his moment of need, spoke about the lifesaving support that SSAFA provides to people like him.

Lady Walmsley, National Vice Chair at SSAFA, commented: “Each anniversary of VE Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces to ensure our safety and freedom. For 140 years, SSAFA has supported serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families whenever they find themselves in need. 

“We were there with the country through the war and at its end. Now, eighty years on, there are few who will remember VE Day first hand. This makes it even more important to celebrate veterans of the Second World War, publicly recognising the significance of what they achieved. The anniversary concert on 8th May offers a meaningful way of doing so.”

SSAFA’s ‘VE Day 80: The Party’ concert will celebrate a pivotal day in our modern history with an evening of storytelling through music. The Squadronaires, part of The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, will take the audience back in time with iconic 1940s favourites, while the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will perform the nation’s best loved classical anthems, both joined by guest vocalists including Katie Ashby (D-Day Darlings) and other special guests.

Wing Commander Murray, Principal Director of Music (RAF), said: “What could be more fitting on this special VE Day tribute than the RAF Squadronaires performing iconic music from the 1940’s alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the venue of all venues, the Royal Albert Hall? Celebrating 80 years since VE Day, this will be a proud evening for RAF Music. Get your dancing shoes on, as we revisit the age of swing!”

The concert will feature the untold personal accounts of those who were there for the Monday event, as well as stories about those involved in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the involvement of the Gurkhas. The event will set the tone for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August.