Two Monmouth men took part in the VE Day 80 parade in London, yet didn’t realise they were nearly neighbours,

Darren Cleaves, Group Manager at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and James Charles, a Marine Pilot and Master Mariner serving the South Wales Ports of Newport, Cardiff and South Wales both took part in the military VE Day procession which kicked off four days of events to commemorate 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.

The procession snaked its way through London in front of huge crowds, followed by a dramatic RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace.

James had the honour of being the contingent Commander for the Seven Merchant Navy representatives at the VE Day 80 procession in London and Darren was part of 15 strong fire contingent from across the UK.

Both were up at 4am the previous Saturday to join the thousand military personnel from across all three services who were taking part in rehearsals before the military procession in London.

The rehearsals for the occasion saw hundreds of personnel gather in Parliament Square while the city slept on Saturday, May 3, ready for the procession on Monday May 5.

Marching to the beat of drums, they headed up Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace – as expected on the following Monday.

The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force were all represented in the trial run for the VE Day 80 event – which saw around 1,000 personnel take part, as well as WW2 veterans, Ukrainian troops, cadet units and more.

The military procession included regiments of the Household Division and Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery who paraded down the Mall from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.

On Monday, King Charles saluted as the procession arrived at the Palace having made its way up the Union Jack-lined Mall.