VE Day is a time to remember for 104-year-old Llay war veteran

Geoffrey Walker Patrick, known as Geoff, will be toasting his former colleagues to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day today.

Still fiercely independent, and preparing a traditional British roast dinner every week for himself and his wife Jean at their home in Llay, VE Day now is emotional for him as he remembers his friends and fellow servicemen who were not fortunate to go on to live a civilian life.

Geoffrey Walker Patrick arriving in style with his wife Jean for his 100th birthday party at the Golden Lion, Rossett

As one of the few surviving generation who served in the Second World War, he also remembers those who came home but have since passed.

On VE Day in 1945, he was in Graz, Austria.

He said" "I don't remember anything special happening that day because we still had a lot of work to do, but I was relieved to know I was eventually going to get home."

He was stationed in Milan after the war had ended when he was given a month's leave because he had been on duty for such a long time. He came to North Wales to stay with friends in the Cefn area of Wrexham.

Geoff, who as a young man trained in joinery in the family undertakers business, said "After my month's leave, I was on the ship ready to go back out there, but then over the loudspeaker, there were a few of us whose names and numbers were called out.

"We were all qualified tradesmen and were told to get off the ship because we were needed to help rebuilding at home.

"I was very lucky to be able to go home."

Born in 1916 in Doncaster, Geoff characterises the strength and fortitude of the wartime generation and no matter what life has thrown at him, he has never lost his sharp wit and sense of humour.

Geoff served in the Royal Army Service Corps, spending three and a half years of the was on the front line of the North African Campaign.

He was a dispatch motorcycle rider, a vital cog in the Allied lines of communication who would often come under enemy fire, once resulting in shrapnel getting caught in his neck.

One of Geoff`s other roles was with the Royal Engineers, preparing airfields for the Allied planes to operate from.

Geoffrey Walker Patrick

The Second World War may have been 75 years ago, but Geoff says that he recalls its events very clearly.

He said: “I recall the time when I was out and about on the motorcycle all alone. I could see in the distance mushrooms floating in the sky. As I got closer I could see they were not mushrooms but German paratroopers.

"Memories like stay with you forever."

Towards the end of the war, Geoff was involved in the Italian Campaign advancing on Sicily, through Italy and on to Austria.

He was involved in the Battle of Monte Cassino - one of the most harrowing and bloody incidents of the war where Allied forces suffered heavy losses. The battle began in January and was to last for four months. Monte Cassino, a historic hilltop abbey, was occupied by German forces. It's capture came at a high cost, with 55,000 Allied casualties.

Geoffrey Walker Patrick during the Second World War

Mr Patrick was demobbed at Beeston Castle, Cheshire, in October 1945 and went on to work as a skilled joiner, eventually becoming a foreman and then a manager with Holland, Hannen & Cubitts which was taken over by Tarmac Group Ltd in 1976.

After the war, Geoff settled in Llay when he married Jean in 1947. Both Geoff and Jean are looking forward to their 73rd wedding anniversary later this month.

A Christmas card sent by Geoffrey Walker Patrick in 1944

Llay`s councillors have paid tribute to Geoff for his war time service.

Councillor Rob Walsh, mayor of Wrexham, describes Geoff as a man of great strength.

He said: “Geoff is a remarkable man, who I have always enjoyed visiting. He has such a strong mind and he is still determined to live as normal life as possible even at 104. It`s a shame I won`t be able to visit him due to the lockdown, but I will be raising a toast to him and all those served our country to liberate Europe.”

Bryan Apsley, chair of Llay Community Council, also praised Geoff`s achievements.

He said: “Geoff is a credit to the village, the town and the country. We are all very proud of him. He still cooks the roast dinner every week, something that puts me to shame.”

Men, women and children celebrate in 1945

Mr Patrick told the Leader that he thought it was important to keep on remembering VE Day and the war generally.

He said "Definitely yes, so the younger ones learn about it and it's never forgotten."

75 years ago, songs and celebrations rang out as the country marked the end of six long, hard years of war.

And while this year the coronavirus lockdown has meant that hundreds of celebrations planned for the 75th anniversary have had to be cancelled, others have adapted and are going ahead.

At 11am, a two-minute silence will be held to honour the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation, and reflect on the devastating impact coronavirus has had on so many lives across the world.