Major Edwin ‘Ted’ Hunt MVO usually marks D Day on 6 June in Normandy with The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. This year plans were in place for Ted to join the charity’s annual trip to France, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the plans had to be cancelled
Having already missed celebrations for his 100 birthday on 23 March and the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May, because of the pandemic restrictions, Ted is determined not to miss out again and plans are in place for him to mark D Day on June 6.
For Ted to safely break his lockdown, arrangements are being made to take him in a disinfected London Licensed Taxi from his home in Sompting, West Sussex on the short journey to Worthing War memorial on Saturday 6 June so that he can mark the occasion by laying a wreath and remembering those who did not return.
Major Ted Hunt, said,
“I missed celebrating my 100thbirthday on 23 March and the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May but D Day is something that I must mark if I possibly can. I am so disappointed that the usual group of WWII veterans have been unable to travel with the Taxi Charity to Normandy this year and I am determined to place a wreath and pay my respects to those who didn’t make it home”
Ted is being driven from his home in West Sussex, by London Taxi Driver and charity volunteer Mike Hughes who lives in Worthing and is Ted’s regular driver and companion on the outings organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
Mike Hughes, London Cabbie and Taxi Charity Volunteer, said, “After taking Ted to various events I’ve grown veryclose to him and I know how disappointed he was to miss the celebrations for both his 100th birthday and VE Day. We spoke recently and with the easing of the lockdown rules, decided that we could try to mark D Day at the Worthing War Memorial instead of in Normandy as we have done in recent years.
My London licensed black cab, with its separatedpassenger compartment, is probably the safest way to take Ted on this short journey and we will ensure we adhere to the social distancing requirements at all times.”
About Major Ted Hunt
Born 23 March 1920, apprenticed to his father as a Waterman 1935 on the River Thames he learned to tow Thames Barges with a rowing-boat. Following the outbreak of WWII Ted volunteered with the Royal Engineers and served in the Battles of Narvik, Norway April–May 1940.
By 1944 he was commissioned, and as a Captain, commanded 15 of the Rhino low draft ferries on Gold Beach on D-Day. In four months, these landing craft put ashore 93,000 units (tanks, guns and vehicles) and 440,000 tons of military stores.
During the last six months of the war in Europe, together with the Dutch hydraulics engineer Lt. C. L. M. Lambrechtsen van Ritthem, he advised the Chief Engineer Second Army, Brigadier "Ginger" Campbell, on the "opposed crossing of water obstacles", so that the longest floating Bailey bridge of the Second World War could be constructed at Gennep in the Netherlands. This bridge over the river Maas (Meuse) was 4,008 feet (1,222 m) long and was opened on 19 February 1945.
Demobilised as a Major he returned to civilian life as a college lecturer in navigation and watermanship at the City and East London College in London, from 1948 until 1985.
As a Royal Waterman, he was appointed Queen’s Bargemaster in 1978 and retired from royal service as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1990
Ted's sister Emily died on 16th May, aged 104. The family have not been able to book a date for her cremation due to the numbers that have died in or near Herne Bay.
About The Taxi Charity For Military Veterans
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was formed in Fulham in 1948, to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans and arranges many trips every year for veterans from all conflicts.
The charity offers international trips to The Netherlands, Belgium and France, UK day trips to concerts or museums, transport to attend fundraising events, as well as special days out to catch up with friends and comrades.
To fund and facilitate these outings, the charity is wholly reliant on generous donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts and the amazing group of London licensed taxi drivers who offer their time and vehicles free.
www.taxicharity.org
About Mike Hughes
In addition to volunteering with the Taxi Charity, Mike is also the Independent Taxi Coordinator for the free Poppy Cab taxi service for veterans going to and from the annual service of remembrance each November in London.
For more information, to arrange interviews with the Taxi Charity and Veterans or to request images please contact
Christina Bowden
Bowden PR
christina@bowdenpr.co.uk
www.bowdenpr.co.uk
TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT: Just A Personal Indulgence For Uncle Les.
My mother’s youngest brother spent his 20th birthday (6th June 1944) in Normandy on Sword beach.
The young Leslie Sharwood pulled his commanding officer (who had fallen over the side of the landing craft and couldn’t swim) to safety on the beach... only to later watch him shot before his eyes.
A few days after the fighting stopped, he wrote home to let his sister, my mother know he was safe. He said he was pleased to hear news his oldest brother George was recovering well after his tank had gone over a landmine in North Africa.
I treasure his letter, posted on the 10 of June 1944, where he told my mum not to worry about him, and that he was in a happy state of mind.
Leslie, although never married, was always happy right up until the day he passed in 2004.
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