10 May 2025 – Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) proudly supported four remarkable Second World War veterans at today’s VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations hosted by Portsmouth Historic Quarter at the Historic Dockyard.
The event paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the wartime generation through a day of commemorative and celebratory activities including 1940s music, harbour boat trips aboard Motor Gun Boat 81 (herself a WWII veteran), and a poignant panel discussion with the public and schoolchildren. With performances, historical re-enactments and opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, the day brought the spirit of VE Day to life for all ages.
RNRMC staff were honoured to act as companions to four veterans: Mabel Kidney, Dorothy Walsh, Robin Boodle, and Ken Arkell. Each veteran shared powerful recollections of their wartime experiences, from naval battles and codebreaking to service in the Wrens and Home Guard. Their stories provided an invaluable link between past and present.
Andrew Jameson, Chief Executive of RNRMC, said:
“My heartfelt thanks to the team at Portsmouth Historic Quarter for hosting such a meaningful VE Day celebration. It was a real honour for RNRMC to support four extraordinary WWII veterans at the event. Their stories are a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of their generation, and the panel discussion was a truly moving moment of reflection and tribute.”
As the Home Port of Heritage it was crucial for us to celebrate VE Day and to capture that spirit of courage and joy embodied by the wartime generation in a truly happy event here today. Meeting the veterans was an honour and a delight that none of us present will forget. As His Majesty The King said in his address on Thursday night, “in remembering the past, we must also look to the future. As the number of those who lived through the Second World War so sadly dwindles, the more it becomes our duty to carry their stories forward, to ensure their experiences are never to be forgotten. We must listen, learn and share.” We are delighted to have played a small part in that learning and sharing and to honour their legacy of freedom.
Hannah Prowse, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Historic Quarter
Among the highlights was a public Q&A session in which adults and children posed questions to the veterans, capturing both historic insight and human experience. The veterans that attended the event were:
- Mabel Kidney (99), a former Wren Steward, shared memories of serving at HMS Daedalus and described a quiet VE Day on duty – marked not by street parties, but by a discreet tot of rum among fellow Wrens.
- Dorothy Walsh (98), a wartime code breaker, spoke of the secrecy and pressure of her intelligence work, which remained classified for decades.
- Robin Boodle (100), who joined the Royal Navy at 15, reflected on the Battle of the Atlantic, the sinking of the Bismarck, and the importance of remembering those who served.
- Ken Arkell (98), who served in the Home Guard and post-war Navy, recalled manning anti-aircraft batteries and the pride he took in defending his community as a young man.
RNRMC remains committed to ensuring that the service and stories of our veterans continue to be recognised, celebrated and passed on to future generations. Portsmouth Historic Quarter holds as its core mission a dedication to breathing new life into our cherished heritage, securing its legacy for future generations. We regenerate and invigorate historic spaces and vessels, preserving their essence while sparking inspiration and educating the next generation.
