One of Britain’s last surviving Royal Navy veterans from the Second World War has made a poignant return to national commemoration, attending the VE Day 80 service at Westminster Abbey – a journey he feared he might not be able to make again. 

Robin was joined at the Abbey by his daughter Gay Kilshaw, granddaughter Kala Kilshaw, and Shannon Cooper from Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), who supported the family on the day.  

Robin Boodle, aged 100 and set to celebrate his 101st birthday in June, served an extraordinary 24 years in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1966. He enlisted just before his 15th birthday, and his service spanned some of the most gruelling and historic campaigns of the war, including the Battle of the Atlantic, as well as serving in the Pacific, Burma, and the Far East. A gunner aboard HMS Suffolk, Robin later retrained in Navigation and Radar – joking that he was “too short to stay on the guns” – and excelled at HMS Dryad (Portsmouth Navigation School). 

Now a resident at the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust’s Admiral Jellicoe House in Portsmouth, Robin has not travelled far in recent years. But when invited to Westminster Abbey for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, he was adamant he would attend. 

“I didn’t want to miss it,” he said. 

Among the most powerful moments of the service was a reading about peace delivered by Alexander Churchill, the great-great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill. For Robin, who had seen first-hand the cost of war, it was a stirring reminder of why remembrance matters. 

Following the service, Robin and his family attended a special afternoon tea aboard HMS Wellington – a ship historically linked to HMS Suffolk – where he met members of the crew, sang wartime songs, and shared stories from his naval career as part of a charity fundraiser. 

The day also marked another chapter in Robin’s deeply personal mission: to find and connect with other surviving veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic – the longest, and one of the most perilous, campaigns of the Second World War. His campaign has garnered national attention, following past reflections where he shared stories of rescuing German sailors from a sinking U-boat – a striking act of humanity that defined the character of his generation. 

Shannon Cooper from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity said: 

“It was a privilege to accompany Robin and his wonderful family to this significant event. Robin is a remarkable man – humble, courageous, and full of warmth. His presence reminded everyone there of the human stories behind our national history. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is proud to stand beside veterans like Robin and help ensure their sacrifices are remembered, and their voices heard.” 

As he approaches his 101st birthday, Robin’s story continues to resonate – a living link to the sacrifices of the past and a powerful call to preserve the memories of those who served at sea.