Devon man reflects on rescuing prisoners of war after VE Day
Devon's Ivor Foster turns 100 this August and will today unveil a memorial for VE day in Plymouth
Last updated 8th May 2025
A Devon man, who turns 100 this Summer, has been telling us how he went to rescue prisoners of war in the immediate aftermath of VE Day.
Plymouth's Ivor Foster - who flew on Lancasters - was 19 when he found out the war was over whilst air-dropping aid over the Netherlands.
The next day, he said: "We did a trip to France and we started picking up our own boys - 24 a time - who were sat in our aircraft and we flew them back to Southern England. The quicker we got them back here the better.
"It was a pitiful sight to see those lads as some of them six and five years prisoners. Some of them got off the tarmac, knelt down and kissed the grass.
“We knew nothing of how bad they were treated and they didn't say anything because they were glad to be back."
The crew took part in four rescue missions. Ivor says he was very close with his 'amazing' crew on board the Lancaster where he was a gunner - but they lost touch after the war as they were sent on different deployments.
Today Ivor has been invited to reveal a permanent memorial at Plymouth bowls to all those who lose their lives to keep the country safe.
A book about the crew's experiences during the Second World War can be found hereit is called Ghosts Of Targets Past and was written by Phillip Gray
What other stories have come to light?
A retired GP and churchwarden from Devon whose father was Vicar of Crediton during World War Two has shared the handwritten sermon he wrote to celebrate VE Day ahead of the 80th anniversary on 8 May.
Jane Richards, 91, was 11 in 1945, when Victory in Europe Day, marking the official end of the Second World War in Europe, was declared on 8 May 1945.
Her father, the Rev'd Francis Richards, had been a minor Canon at St Paul's Cathedral during the London blitz and was on fire warden duty in the dome of the cathedral the night a bomb landed on the steps and bounced down them.
In 1940 he moved to become Vicar of Crediton, to provide a safer environment for his growing family. Jane said he used to write each of his sermons by hand in a series of notebooks he kept in alphabetical order. She inherited the notebooks when he died and recently rediscovered his sermon of 13 May 1945.
It starts with the words "During this past week great events have come to a final issue, and we have celebrated the day of victory in Europe to which we had long been looking forward. No doubt you have all been reading reviews of the progress of the war through these years in your newspapers, and I need not quote instances here to remind you how often or for how long, the prospect of victory seemed remote and unattainable, and many of us lived through moments when we wondered whether we ourselves should be spared to see it come to pass." A video can be found here
What else are veterans doing today?
A blind veteran from Devon will take to the water and swim 80 lengths of his local pool to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision impaired ex-Service men and women.
Lee Whitfield, 49, and from Plymouth, will swim a total of 2,000 metres on 8 May at Plympton Swimming Pool starting at 8am and hopefully finishing by 8pm.
He said: “As a child, I was part fish and loved to be in the water. I was never a strong swimmer but have always found being in, on, or near water therapeutic.
“I need help to get in and out of the pool and once in I feel like a human pinball, bouncing off the ropes marking off my lane and only discovering I’ve reached the end when I bang my head and then know it’s time to turn around.”
Lee lost his sight suddenly in his mid-40s following a brain haemorrhage. He says: “What I thought was a Sunday morning nap, turned into something much more serious. I went into a coma and the doctors were preparing my family for the worst. When I woke in hospital a few weeks later, it wasn’t immediately obvious that I’d lost my sight as I was hallucinating and seeing all sorts of things; it was absolutely terrifying.
“When I realised what had happened, I thought my life was over. I was discharged from hospital a day before the country went into the first Covid lockdown adding to my feeling of loss and isolation. I just stayed inside for six months selling or giving away everything I owned.”
What else is happening?
Today there'll be a flag raising ceremony on Plymouth Hoe with Newton Abbot ringing bells and many places across Devon tonight lighting a beacon to mark VE Day
Plymouth played a crucial role during World War II, serving as a major naval base and embarkation point for troops. The city endured significant bombing during the Blitz, which led to extensive rebuilding efforts post-war.
The main event on Thursday 8 May will be on Plymouth Hoe from 11.30am with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a Full Parade of Standards and a Royal Navy Guard, which will include a gun fire from the Royal Citadel to mark the 2 minute silence. This ceremonial start will set the tone for a day of reflection and celebration.
From 12.00pm to 5.00pm, the Hoe will be transformed into a vibrant hub of activity. Visitors can enjoy picnic benches, stalls, entertainment, Commonwealth Wargraves Tours, and vintage vehicles.
The atmosphere will be one of festivity and remembrance, bringing the community together to honour this historic occasion. As the evening unfolds, a concert will begin at 5:30pm and will culminate with a poignant Sunset Guard ceremony and the lighting of the Beacon at 8:40pm, providing a moment for all to reflect on the significance of VE Day.
In addition to the main event on Plymouth Hoe, several other activities will take place across the city:
Remembering Victory: VE Day 80 at The Box: Plymouth's award-winning museum, The Box, will host a special pop-up display on Saturday 10 May in its Cottonian Research Room. The display will feature images and documents from the archives, handling objects and a small but fascinating selection of items from the costume collection, including a 'Dig for Victory' dress and a nightdress made from parachute silk. Visitors can also see items related to World War II in some of the other galleries at The Box. These include a series of display cases linked to the ‘Jyll Bradley: Running and Returning’ exhibition that combine personal items from the artist and the city’s collections, and the famous Bomb Book in the Active Archives gallery on its first floor. The Port of Plymouth gallery on the ground floor also includes objects linked to the war, including a painting titled ‘American destroyers arrive at Plymouth’ by official war artist Charles Ernest Cundall. There will also be themed specials on the menu in The Box Kitchen & Bar.
VE Day 80 at Central Library: Plymouth's Central Library will host a day filled with history, music, and community spirit on Thursday 8 May. Visitors can explore historical displays, sound clips, and oral histories provided by The Box, showcasing wartime experiences.
VE Day 80 at Mount Edgcumbe: On Thursday 8 May, head to Mount Edgcumbe for a ceremony at Barn Pool. The event will commence at 10:45am, with a two-minute silence at 11:00am marked by the firing of field artillery.
VE Day 80 at Plymouth Market: On Thursday 8 May, head to Plymouth market for special VE day deals, 1940’s music and a large screen showing historical coverage.
Street Parties: Plymouth City Council waived fees for street parties, allowing communities to celebrate across the city. Road closures will be in place for various street parties, including:
Linketty Lane: 2:30pm - 9:00pm on Saturday 10 May
Pinewood Close: 2:00pm - 7:00pm on Saturday 10 May
Barn Park Road: 10:00am - 5:00pm on Saturday 10 May
Hotham Place: 8:00am - 8:00pm on Saturday 10 May
Compton Avenue: 12:00pm - 6:00pm on Sunday 11 May
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Events, says: "We are thrilled to present a full programme of events across our city for VE Day 80.
“This is not just an opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the past, but a chance to celebrate the enduring peace and unity that emerged from those tumultuous times.
“Plymouth City Council is immensely proud to host a day of celebration and commemoration at The Hoe, The Box, and Central Library. I am also pleased that a number of local communities have embraced our offer of free road closures to organise their own street parties, bringing neighbours together in a spirit of camaraderie and shared history."