World War Two veterans, around 70,000 of whom remain in 2024, have given their full support to the prospective plans that could give Britons an extra four-day weekend
Britons will net an extra bank holiday off in 2025 thanks to the arrival of not one but two major anniversaries.
The UK is set to participate in a four-day celebration of the Greatest Generation with a bonus bank holiday marking the end of World War Two. The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day falls on May 5 next year, and will see millions of people remember the moment the Allies in Europe accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945.
The bumper year will also see people mark Victory over Japan Day – the effective end of global hostilities – which falls slightly later on August 15, providing two opportunities for extended weekend. Britons will enjoy some extra time off to commemorate one of these landmark dates, with an announcement reportedly imminent.
The Daily Express reports that the Government has not yet decided which weekend would be extended to four days, but will make an announcement regarding plans at some point. Regardless of which day the holiday falls, it will likely be the last opportunity people have to give their thanks to brave World War Two veterans.
While millions of people served in the conflict, precious few are alive in 2024, with around 70,000 people who fought between 1939 to 1945 remaining today. Among plans proposed to honour the veterans and the multiple milestones is a four-day jamboree, the Express reports.
Veterans have given their backing to the teased celebrations, with Market Garden Veteran Geoff Roberts, 99, saying he thinks it is “very important” to remember those who gave their lives for freedom and peace in Europe. Geoff, who was captured in the airborne assault on Arnhem in 1944 and held as a prisoner of war, said an extra bank holiday would help “remind people about what’s happened”.
He said: “I think it’s very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them. Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what’s happened in the past.” Marie Scott, 98, who was 17 on D-Day, agreed.
Ms Scott worked in a top secret underground bunker passing coded messages between military commanders to their troops as they landed on the beaches of Normandy. She heard the terrifying sounds from the beach during the landmark battle. She said: “An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed.”
