Falklands veteran and businessman Tony Banks has launched a website for survivors of the Second World War to share their experiences. The Dundee-born care home owner wants to capture an invaluable resource before it is lost forever.
“If we don’t act now, a generation’s memories of the most engulfing conflict ever to take place will be lost. The UK government doesn’t keep figures on the number of surviving World War II veterans but the American government does,” said Mr Banks.
“Just over 16 million Americans took part in World War II and less than 1.5 million of them are still alive. The number of British servicemen who took part was under six million and we can assume a similar attrition rate. Within a few years these people and their memories will all be gone.”
Born in Dundee, Tony (51) served with 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment in the Falklands. His regiment was the first to land and the first to win a major battle. When he returned to Scotland he founded the Balhousie Care Group, which now operates 22 care groups housing 800 residents and employing more than 800 staff. He is now one of Scotland’s most successful businessmen and in 2009 he appeared on the Channel 4 show Secret Millionaire.
It was through his interaction with the elderly people in his care homes that Tony came up with the idea for World War Two Video Memories.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xqmzhhE6zVk%3Frel%3D0
“I’ve run Balhousie Care Group for over 20 years and as a war veteran myself I often speak to residents about their wartime experiences,” he said. “Their stories are fascinating. It’s not just those who served on the frontline but those who were left back home as well.
“The women working in the shipyards; the women in the land army. The people who were evacuated to Stonehaven. Even the people whose job it was to cut down iron fencing to get the metal in them. All of these people have fascinating stories.”
At the heart of the site is a “memory map” of the world with the location of veterans. Users can click on veterans’ names to see a video clip of their wartime memories.
“It’s incredibly easy to do,” Tony continued. “You just take a quick video on your phone, iPad or computer, send it to us and our staff will do the rest.”
Among those already on the site are Gloria Hurst, who remembers being evacuated from London; George Douglas, a former RAF officer who recalls his adventures on Mount Snowdon; and Mary Margaret Gillman, who talks about her brother’s unusual experience when he was running for the boats leaving France.
The site has only just gone live but Tony who has financed it himself is hopeful it will take off.
“It would be great if it went viral,” he continued. “Because it’s done as a world map we could have veterans from all over the Commonwealth, America, France and even Germany as well as the UK.”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bp_JFxziH_8%3Frel%3D0
The project could also take off in a number of other ways.
“I think it will be very useful as a reminiscence therapy for elderly people,” Tony said. “I’ve been talking to a number of other care homes about this. A lot of people with dementia can’t remember what they had for lunch but their memories of the war are pin sharp and talking about things they remember well is comforting for them.
“I would also love to see the site used for school projects. Children can interview their grandparents or even great-grandparents. And although the process is easy, I have no doubt some elderly people will need younger members of the family to help them do the videos.”
When all is said and done, the success of the site depends on the willingness of those who were there to share their stories.
“That generation is very humble and they don’t like to talk about themselves. But perhaps as they get older and near to death they will want to share their memories.”
The conflict Tony fought in is already 30 years in the past. Would he consider setting up a similar website for veterans of the Falklands War?
“That hadn’t actually occurred to me to be honest,” he responded. “Vietnam and then the Falklands were the first wars where there was a heavy media presence.
“But you still didn’t really get the views of the ordinary soldier, sailor or RAF guy. If this website becomes popular then doing one for the Falklands is definitely something I will look at.”
Find out more at www.ww2videomemories.com