WWII veteran honoured at school’s VE Day party
Second World War veteran Alec Denham, known as Ted, was the guest of honour at Hillhouse Primary School’s VE Day street party on May 9
Second World War veteran Alec Denham, known as Ted, was the guest of honour at Hillhouse Primary School’s VE Day street party on May 9.
Ted, aged 99, is living with dementia and is cared for at Honey Lane, a specialist dementia care home in Waltham Abbey, Essex. Members of the home’s lifestyle team accompanied Ted to the school, with fellow residents Barbara, Mary and Margaret.
The school children performed a show to commemorate VE Day, dancing and singing to wartime songs from the 1940s. Tables were set up to re-create a traditional VE Day street party where Ted and the other guests were offered tea and coffee, sandwiches and home-baked Union Jack cupcakes.
Ted is one of just a handful of veterans still alive to have flown the Spitfires that defeated Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe in air attacks during the Battle of Britain. In May 1945, Ted was serving in Burma, which is now called Myanmar.
The veteran, who lied about his age to sign up at 17, joined in with the school children and sang along to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by Vera Lynn. Ted said he had a “marvellous” day and “enjoyed” spending time with the children, showing them his photo albums and sharing his experiences.
Lisa Gammalliere, lifestyles coordinator at Honey Lane, said: “Ted was very touched at how interested the children were with his presence at the party. He really embraced every moment!
“He wore his uniform, and the children were so excited to ask him if he was a soldier and if he had fought in the war. One little girl didn’t want to go and play with her friends and instead wanted to sit with Ted and learn more as she was fascinated to meet a 99-year-old soldier.”
Joanne Willcox, headteacher at Hillhouse CofE Primary School, said: “To be able to meet a veteran of the Second World War and hear his stories and memories is remarkable and provided the children with such insight.
“The children all loved chatting to Ted and looking through his old photos. We were honoured to host such an important VIP to commemorate VE Day.”
Honey Lane home manager Angela Sacks added: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day has been a wonderful mix of celebration and reflection for Ted and his fellow residents as members of the Second World War generation.
“We were honoured to accompany Ted to the school, he deserves all of the attention as their VIP guest!”
Located on Honey Lane in Waltham Abbey, the 38-bed care home is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and was awarded ‘Commended’ at the Essex Care Sector Awards: The Prospers in 2024.