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London cabbies take WWII veterans back to Netherlands for moving Operation Market Garden tribute
- Perry Richardson
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Ten Second World War veterans have received a VIP welcome in the Netherlands after travelling to the 79th Wandeltocht with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
Dorothea Barron, Robbie Hall, Betty Withers, Paul Terry, Alf Cooley, Geoff Roberts, George Durrant, William Puckett, Ivan Staines and Arnold Walton made the journey after taking the overnight ferry from Harwich.
The visit began on Friday 4 September with breakfast at the British Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. The veterans and other members of the charity’s party were welcomed before continuing to Arnhem.
On Saturday 5 September, the veterans attended the finish of the Wandeltocht, also known as the Airborne Walk. Thousands of people take part in the annual event around Oosterbeek and the surrounding area to commemorate those who fought during the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden.
The group included Geoff Roberts, whose wartime service involved Operation Market Garden, the Allied campaign fought in the Netherlands in September 1944. Fellow veteran Paul Terry landed in Normandy after D-Day before advancing through France and Belgium into the Netherlands, where he fought in Operation Market Garden and helped secure Nijmegen Bridge.
The Dutch Police supported the visit by providing 15 motorcycle outriders to escort the London taxi convoy from the Hook of Holland to The Hague and then Arnhem. Officers also assisted the group on its return journey to the ferry.
Taxi Charity trustee Ian Parsons said: “It was a great trip and visiting the 79th Wandeltocht was a real highlight. Our veterans thoroughly enjoyed meeting and interacting with the Dutch people, who came out in their thousands to salute them as they crossed the finish line. The warmth and respect shown to our veterans is truly wonderful to see.
“It was also a real pleasure to visit the Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague and to enjoy such a warm welcome. We would particularly like to thank His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Chris Rampling CMG MBE, for his ongoing support for the Taxi Charity and the work we do for military veterans.”
Keith Allen, Deputy Ambassador to the Netherlands, said it had been a privilege to welcome the veterans ahead of the annual walk.
He said: “Every year, thousands walk in Oosterbeek and the surrounding area to honour and remember the enormous sacrifices made by our veterans for the freedom we enjoy today. By listening to our veterans and sharing their stories, we help make sure their service is never forgotten.”
London taxi driver and charity volunteer Kevin Taylor described taking part in the visit as “an absolute privilege and an honour”, thanking the drivers, companions, volunteers and those working behind the scenes.
The Taxi Charity regularly uses volunteer-driven London taxis to take military veterans to commemorations and former battlefields. Its trips are funded entirely through donations, grants and sponsorship.
