Veteran recalls WW2 memories as he turns 102

Thousands of under 18s fought in World War Two, either by lying about their age or getting consent from their parents.

Royal Marine veteran Joseph Douglas Cheshire, who has just turned 102, got parental consent and joined just after his 17th birthday in 1941.

Joseph, who now lives in Eastbourne, East Sussex, travelled across the world during his time in the Navy.

"I pestered my mother and she didn't want to see me go, understandably. No mother wanted to see their children go off to war," he said.

Joseph, who was also known by his middle name, Douglas, travelled to Plymouth in Devon to train.

He said: "I was walking down to the barracks from the train in Union Street, they'd just had a bombing raid that night and they were still digging people out.

"We all had [terrifying experiences]. Instead of having 500 people onboard a ship, we'd have 1,000. You were all in it together.

"I'd joined a cruiser [HMS Revenge]. We went out into the Atlantic and patrolled the British coast [searching for German U-boats].

"I don't keep the memories in my mind all the time, I have enough to get on with."

Joseph, originally from Liverpool, never fought in Germany but attended the Potsdam Conference just outside of Berlin where the Soviet Union, United Kingdom and United States negotiated the post-war administration of Germany in 1945.

He also fought in British Malaya, now Malaysia, and described being ambushed in a jungle, as well as spending time in countries like South Africa and Kenya.

His grandson Carl Williams, 44, said: "He's an inspiration, what he's done for the country, how he conducts himself.

Joseph's grandson said: "I'll always remember all my experiences and adventures with him and my Grandma. I've never heard a bad word said about him."

Karen Williams, his daughter, said: "I'm very proud of him, couldn't be prouder. I was born after his service then he went on to the ambulance service."

Joseph had been married to his wife Nancy for 70 years when she died at the age of 95. They had two daughters.

He has four grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren with the latest born in December last year.

And in terms of life advice, Joseph says: "Be good to everybody."

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