Heroes return to Monte Cassino
With the help of National Lottery funding, Second World War veterans were able to take a historic pilgrimage to Monte Cassino in April 2014. They joined others from around the world for the 70th anniversary of one the war's bloodiest and most important battles.
Victory at the Battle of Monte Cassino saw allies advance into mainland Europe, liberate Rome and join forces with Italy. The five month battle claimed 50,000 lives between January and May 1944. Seventy years on, a Heroes Return Grant allowed UK veterans to join Prince Harry on a historic pilgrimage to pay their respects.
We are proud to remember and honour the immense debt of gratitude owed to those brave veterans who endured one of the most arduous campaigns of the Second World War.
Lewis Renshaw from Newark celebrated his 96th birthday on the same day. He survived the battle even after stepping on a landmine. He said: "There were so many killed. My job was to collect the identity tags off the dead soldiers. It made me cry."
Ivor Cutler, 89, from Little Sutton, Cheshire, served with the 5th Northamptonshire Regiment, 28th British Infantry (Battleaxe) Division and was wounded several times. He said: "I hope to meet some of the people I've met in the past and especially an old comrade who helped me when I was injured. I am pleased to be able to return with my family. They have always supported me in everything I've done."
Peter Ainsworth Chair of the Big Lottery Fund added: "We are proud to remember and honour the immense debt of gratitude owed to those brave veterans who endured one of the most arduous campaigns of the Second World War and whose courage and sacrifice finally brought an end to a conflict that cost over 60 million lives across the world."
The Big Lottery Fund has to date awarded £28 million to more than 57,000 Second World War veterans, widows, wives and carers across the UK as part of the Heroes Return 2 programme. The programme has been extended to allow veterans to apply for funding to take second trips.
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