A 104-year-old VE Day veteran has been honoured with commemorative coins.
The event took place at RAF Shawbury on Tuesday, May 13, where the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, presented Colin Cole with the coins.
The ceremony was attended by RAF representatives including Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, Group Captain Mike Jordan, and other dignitaries.
Mr Cole, who was born on June 12, 1919, joined the Royal Air Force in 1939, before the outbreak of the Second World War.
He served as a wireless operator, known as 'sparks', in the Lysander aircraft during the early months of his career.
He later joined the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service, spending over four years aboard High Speed Launch 126, with a crew of 10 to 12.
His duties took him through historic events such as the Dunkirk evacuation, the D-Day invasion, and VE Day.
His work involved rescuing aircrew, both allies and enemies, and retrieving bodies from the sea.
His service continued beyond the end of the war, supporting the movement of personnel and resources across the sea to and from Europe.
After his military career, Mr Cole became a teacher, specialising in helping less able youngsters.
Sean McCarthy, Armed Forces Covenant Lead, said: "It was an honour to be in the presence of a VE Day veteran and to listen to some of Colin’s stories.
"It puts things into perspective when you hear what people went through 80 years ago.
"We owe this generation so much for the sacrifices they made."
Mr Cole lives in Oswestry and is still in good health at 104 years old.
Despite his time aboard High Speed Launch 126, he only learned to swim after the war.
His life is a testament to resilience and dedication, from his service in the RAF to his teaching career, and he continues to inspire those who meet him.
The presentation of the VE Day commemorative coins by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire is a tribute to Mr Cole's courage and service, both during the war and after.
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