Navy veteran recalls celebrating the first VJ Day

Richard Edser, 94, served as a Seaman on board the HMS Formidable aircraft carrier in East Asia; sadly, the Harlow veteran died on August 12, three days before VJ Day.

He had signed up aged just 17, with his training and military career taking him to Belfast, Norway, Gibraltar and the Pacific.

Mr Edser told of his memories of the conflict and his feelings around VJ Day, but he sadly died before the anniversary.

Speaking to PA in July, he remembered his ship being struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane on May 5 1945.

HMS Formidable. Photo: Richard Edser/PA

Locked up in a gun turret, Mr Edser said he was initially not aware of the full impact of the attack, which would be followed by another three days later.

“We didn’t see it until after the action was over, but we had to sweep the deck with all the debris,” he said.

“All they found of the pilot was one arm, with his wrist watch on.”

Mr Edser admitted he turned to prayer during attacks on the Formidable.

“I’m not afraid to say that, I used to pray that I come out alright,” he said.

Despite the hard work on board, which included placing chocks under the wheels of aircraft, Mr Edser said there were still moments of enjoyment.

The crew would play “deck hockey” on board and arrange boxing matches.

Family handout photo of Richard as a young sailor. Photo: PA Wire

Mr Edser said he learned to string his hammock up close to the ship’s bakehouse, despite the rats, because it was warmer there.

Due to being on leave he actually missed out on his comrades parading through the streets of Sydney in Australia following the Japanese surrender on August 15 1945.

“I was courting a woman out there,” he said.

He recalled little fanfare when the Formidable later returned to England in 1946.

“Nobody was on the jetty at all, that’s why we were called the forgotten fleet,” he said.

“When we came back to England it was just another day.”

At the time of his interviews, Mr Edser was uncertain if he would be marking VJ Day on Saturday locally due to the restrictions placed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Edser said: “It is important to me, I make sure people know what we’ve done.

“All the people that was lost, all my mates.

“It’s one of those things, we went to war and that’s it, to save the country.”

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans normally arranges trips and special days out with the help of London licensed taxi drivers, who this year will be delivering commemorative tins to servicemen.

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @EppingFGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Epping Forest.