From D-Day heroes to the brilliance of the Bletchley Park codebreakers, a group of extraordinary men and women will gather in quiet pride and solemn remembrance to help Swansea mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.
All from South West Wales, the veterans not only endured the hardships of the Second World War but actively shaped its outcome through bravery, selflessness and sacrifice.
They’ll be joining city leaders and civic dignitaries in a VJ Day 80 Commemoration event at Swansea’s Guildhall on Friday August 15 to mark 80 years since the Japanese surrender that ended World War Two.
Hosted by Swansea Council, the event will also include representatives from military associations in South West Wales.
Among the guests of honour will be Richard Pelzer, Ron Horsey and Captain David Cledlyn Jones – three proud Swansea veterans whose war service left indelible marks on their lives and their communities.
Born in Llansamlet, 101-year-old Richard served with the Royal Engineers where he specialised in diving and underwater demolitions.
His war journey took him to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, where he worked under fire to secure the Mulberry Harbour system – a temporary portable harbour developed by the British Admiralty and War Office that helped the Allies refuel and regroup.
Richard said: “When working we were fired on from everywhere. They were trying to shoot at the Mulberry Harbour, but a couple of shells dropped short and wiped out a whole company of engineers.
“After D-Day, we spent the night in a little garage which was close to Juno Beach.
“I lost my best friend there on the beach while we were doing a job on one of the invasion fortresses. I tried to help him, but it was too late – he was gone.”
Richard later helped liberate prisoners of war in Singapore and stayed there for 18 months to support their recovery and provide burials for the fallen.
He returned to Swansea after the war, worked in construction, and later became a photographer for the local authority – capturing images of royalty and civic life.
Educated in Dyfatty and St Thomas, Captain David Cledlyn Jones – also aged 101 – joined his first Atlantic convoy when he was just 15.
The ship he served on – Quebec City – was attacked and sunk in 1942 but Captain Jones then survived a further fortnight at sea before eventually landing in Liberia on a lifeboat the Germans had set adrift.
The act of mercy shown by the German U-boat captain – providing the survivors with charts to help them set a course for the West Coast of Africa – left a lifelong impression on David.
In 2017, he was awarded the British Empire Medal for promoting Anglo-German friendship.
Ron Horsey, aged 99 and of the Royal Engineers, served in France, Belgium and Holland.
After the war, he returned to civilian life, working at Ford before moving to Swansea in 1966. He devoted 25 years to armed forces charity SSAFA supporting fellow veterans alongside his late wife, Barbara. Ron was also a welfare officer for the Royal Engineers branch in Swansea.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Swansea has a proud and enduring relationship with our Armed Forces community, built on a deep respect for the bravery, dedication and sacrifice shown by our servicemen and women over generations.
“As we approach the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, we are given a meaningful opportunity to reflect on one of the most significant and hard-fought chapters in our history.
“This anniversary allows us to honour not only those who served on the front lines in Europe and the Far East but also the countless individuals who supported the war effort from home – families, medics, volunteers and many unsung heroes who contributed in immeasurable ways.
“It’s our duty as a community to not only remember their actions with gratitude but to actively listen to and share their stories, ensuring their legacy is passed on to future generations.”
Swansea itself endured the fire and fury of war.
During the Three Night Blitz of February 1941, the city was bombed relentlessly by the German Luftwaffe.
Two hundred and thirty people were killed, 397 injured and thousands of buildings were destroyed or damaged as much of the city centre was reduced to rubble.
Yet from those ruins came resilience – and from the South West Wales community came people who would go on to shape history.
They included Ray Jones, of Neath, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a medical orderly on troop ships during and after World War Two.
He cared for many servicemen, including ex-Japanese POWs – some of whom were emaciated and suffering from conditions like elephantiasis.
Ray’s ship visited Nagasaki after the atomic bomb, possibly affecting his health due to radiation exposure.
Other local heroes included 101-year-old Archie Thomas, born in Port Talbot, who volunteered for the Royal Navy when he was 18.
Part of the navy’s elite beach commando unit, Archie – who was awarded the Commando Dagger and Green Beret – endured training in the Scottish Highlands before seeing action in the invasions of Sicily and Italy.
Seriously injured in a bombing raid in Messina, he returned to service after just two weeks in hospital in Tunisia. His journey then spanned Egypt, Malta, Corsica and preparations for the planned invasion of Japan.
Also attending the commemoration event in Swansea’s Guildhall will be Kath Morris of Neath and Gwenfron Picken of Port Talbot – two women whose roles were secret for decades.
Now both aged 101, Kath and Gwenfron worked as codebreakers at Bletchley Park, helping to decipher German military communications that proved crucial to the Allied victory. They both kept their secrets for decades, having signed the Official Secrets Act.
Cllr Cheryl Philpott, Lord Mayor of Swansea, said: “It will be a privilege and an honour to stand on behalf of the people of Swansea as we come together to pay tribute to the extraordinary individuals who served during the Second World War.
“These men and women displayed immense bravery, resilience and a quiet, unwavering dignity in the face of unimaginable hardship.
“As we mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, it’s fitting that we pause not only to remember their courage, but also to offer our heartfelt gratitude and respect.
“Swansea is proud to honour them – not just with words, but with the remembrance, appreciation and pride that their service so deeply warrants.”
Idwal Davies, age 98 and from Llanelli, also signed up young, hoping to fly with the RAF.
Instead, he was transferred to the Army where he trained to drive Churchill tanks, learned Morse code and eventually joined the 7th Queen’s Own Hussars in Italy.
He ended up doing the job he had trained for before the war by serving as the regimental butcher.
After his military service, Idwal has been very active in his local community. He’s been a keen member of the Llanelli Historical Society and a supporter of the local Salvation Army.
