UK military veterans, along with friends and family members, were joined by staff of the charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) and other guests to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the weekend thanks to a generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Held at the SVR-run Whitefoord House in Edinburgh, veterans and guests enjoyed live music and a barbeque which featured the official Jubilee pudding prepared by one of the charity’s chefs, Nigel Richards-Clark. The event was the first major community gathering at the residence since the Covid pandemic.
Joining the celebrations were members of the Association of Wrens and Royal Naval Association Edinburgh Branches, which also sponsored a Queen’s Jubilee tree-planting ceremony held in the residence’s garden last month.
The event at Whitefoord coincided with other Jubilee celebrations at SVR’s residences in Dundee and Glasgow, supported by a £9,900 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
TODAY IS D-DAY
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.
A special mention then to my dear old friend, Normandy veteran TONY DELAHOY.
Margaret Runcie, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, was the guest of honour at a tree-planting event marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee held at Edinburgh’s Whitefoord House yesterday.
Margaret, who was born in Hertfordshire and now resides in Haddington, East Lothian, served as a Petty Officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) in the Second World War.
In June 1944 at the age of 18, she was posted to Royal Naval Air Station Crail in Fife (HMS Jackdaw) as a radio mechanic for 785 Squadron where her duties included changing batteries from aircraft returning from missions, usually at night. During here service, which continued until the end of 1946, Margaret lived in Crail House, a mile from the base.
Despite her South East of England roots, Margaret spent most of her military leave travelling throughout Scotland where she eventually settled following her marriage to Ken in 1956. Her former base in Crail is now one of the biggest preserved Naval Air Stations in the UK, and a room in Crail Museum is dedicated to the life and people who served on HMS Jackdaw.
Margaret visited Edinburgh’s Whitefoord House, a supported housing facility run the charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR), where she joined residents to plant a tree in celebration of this year’s Platinum Jubilee.
The tree was sponsored by the Association of Wrens and Women of the Naval Services Edinburgh Branch. The Royal Naval Association Edinburgh branch also planted a tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
SVR has been operating for more than 100 years providing accommodation and services for UK military veterans who are experiencing homelessness. The charity’s housing support services in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow provide accommodation for up to 160 veterans at one time.
Commenting from Whitefoord House, Margaret said: “I’m delighted to be here planting this tree on behalf of The Association of Wrens and Women of the Naval Services to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
“The Queen and her father, King George, were an immense inspiration to all servicemen and women throughout the war so it’s an honour to be here celebrating the 70th year of her reign.”
Martin Nadin OBE, Chief Executive SVR said: “As an organisation which is fully committed to supporting veterans, we are absolutely thrilled to have Margaret and so many representatives from the Naval Services Association at today’s tree planting.
“As we mark the Queen’s historic milestone, it’s important we also acknowledge the commitment and sacrifice of our veterans who have kept the UK secure during the past 70 years.”
