Commemorating 80th Anniversary of VE Day in Britain

As the 80th anniversary of VE Day approaches, several commemorative efforts highlight the diverse contributions and sacrifices made during World War II. The Rae brothers of Dundee are remembered for their extraordinary bravery, with three of the four siblings awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, their medals now donated to Dundee’s McManus Museum. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is also marking the anniversary by recounting its crews' courageous efforts, including thousands of rescue missions that saved over 6,000 lives during the war. Additionally, the family of Isobel Harling, who tended war graves for decades, is advocating for a permanent memorial in Scotland to honor the often-overlooked British Indian Army soldiers who trained and died in Scotland, reflecting a broader recognition of the diverse forces that contributed to the Allied victory. These stories collectively emphasize the importance of remembering both well-known and lesser-known heroes of the war.