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The UK’s oldest surviving World War Two veteran, 110-year-old Donald Rose, will appear in a special edition of The One Show to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Mr. Rose, who celebrated his milestone birthday on Christmas Eve, took part in a wartime-themed celebration at his care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. The party was organised with help from the veterans charity The Not Forgotten and included music from the 1940s performed by the Swingtime Sweethearts.
A recipient of France’s highest honour—the Legion of Honour—Mr. Rose was also visited by comedian and military history enthusiast Al Murray ahead of the commemorative episode airing on BBC One, Monday at 18:30 BST.
Mr. Rose, originally from Westcott in Surrey, served in the Queen’s Royal Regiment after enlisting at age 25. Trained as a sniper, he fought in North Africa and Europe and survived a bullet wound to the leg during the D-Day Landings. He credits his long life to the salty water he drank while serving in the desert.
A retired colonel from his regiment presented him with a new beret and replacement cap badge after his original was lost—prompting an emotional salute from Mr. Rose, who briefly stood despite his age.
The VE Day celebrations will be led by King Charles and include a four-day programme of events, including a grand flypast featuring 23 historic and current military aircraft over Buckingham Palace.
