By: Paul Reed.
Last Sunday in Manchester a ceremony was held to mark the end of 71 years since the Second World War in Europe ended. Beginning at 1:30 pm, and organised by the Manchester and St Petersburg Friendship Society. Jim Charnock began the ceremonial by dedicating this year’s Manchester Celebrations of the end of war in Europe to two Manchester veterans who have sadly passed away. The recorded voice of Winston Churchill could be heard all around the Manchester Town Hall, as he had announced VE Day (Victory in Europe) in 1945.
In November of 2014 Herbert ‘Mac’ McNeill who regularly attended Newton Heath day of remembrance had passed away aged 88, he had been decorated in his hospital bed for death-defying missions to protect vital supplies during World War Two by Russian officials who had made the special mission to North Manchester General Hospital to honour and decorate Mr McNeill. Just five days before he sadly passed away.
He will always be remembered for his connections to Newton Heath. Herbert, who fought very hard along with other veteran’s to get final recognition for their mates who served in the Arctic convoys.
His Ushakov medal marked 70 years since the war ended, after the British defence chiefs finally agreed to honour the thousands who risked their lives in freezing Arctic convoys. British bull dog PM: Winston Churchill once described them as having made ‘the worst journey in the world’.
Two of Herbert’s greatest fans this year honoured their grandfather with his grandson young Samuel wearing some of his glorious awarded medals.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester was there to honour the veterans along with hundreds of Manchester’s Russian community who sang songs which brought tears to the eyes of many of the people who had gathered to pay their respects to the extremely brave veterans’.
Joe Kilroy who was also recently honoured by President Obama and the First Lady, HRH Prince Charles, and who recently was awarded by the French Government, the country’s highest honour, the Legion d’Honneur sadly was unable to be at Sunday’s event but who told the MUN Reporter that he sadly missed his pal Mac as Herbert was passionately known.
Friends {from left to right} Dennis Kilroy [Joe Kilroy son} Herbert & daughter Joe Kilroy recently awarded, the Legion d’Honneur at Newton Heath in 2011
Lord Mayor of Manchester Council Paul Murphy OBE, said: “The heroism and bravery displayed by British troops during World War II is unprecedented in modern history and it will be a privilege to meet these courageous men – who are owed so much by so many.
“This award is resoundingly deserved and I would like to join France in recognising the magnitude of these local men’s actions in the face of the most testing and harrowing of times.”
In February Mario Prost, Honorary Consul of France said: “France owes British veterans an eternal debt of gratitude for their role in the liberation of Europe, which this award can never fully repay,” Mario Prost went on to say: “The French Republic thanks them wholeheartedly for their sacrifice and selfless service.”
Russian Convoy Veteran and War hero Herbert ‘Mac’ McNeill’s grandson follows in his Granddad’s footsteps as he parades in army uniform on duty at the Manchester Cenotaph .
After the ceremony people were invited into the Manchester Town Hall for afternoon tea; as guest of the Manchester Lord Mayor: Paul Murphy, where Russian folk songs were played and the Manchester Russian community entertained the public with Russian dancing. The Manchester Sunny weather made it an event to remember and thanks must go out to the Manchester and St Petersburg Friendship Society for their wonderful work in organising this fantastic international event.
Children from Manchester’s Russian Community who made the day even brighter
Members of Manchester’s Russian Community stand with photos of their families who died in the terrible war
Russian poems were read out
Credit: MUN Reporter
Credit Photograph’s: MUN Reporter
VE DAY IN Manchester, as hundreds turn out to honour our veteran’s added by manchesterusersnetwork on
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