A 95-YEAR-OLD war veteran has shared memories of his experience in the military during World War Two as he prepares to lay a wreath for the first time at his community’s remembrance service.

Arrochar resident Ron Sivyer, who enrolled in the RAF as a wireless operator in 1939, has been invited to attend the Arrochar and Tarbet memorial service on November 11, and will be joined by his 94-year-old friend and RAF Bomber Command veteran Billy Ross.

The pair became acquainted when Ron moved to the village last November, and will both pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday at the recently refurbished war memorial, in what is the centenary year of the RAF and the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Recalling his job during the conflict, Ron, who lived in England and served at RAF Cheadle, said he could write a book about his top-secret tales.

He said: “We knew very little about what we did, except we were monitoring the German Air Force, and knew what we were listening and searching for. It was all incredibly interesting.

“Of course, the Germans were doing exactly the same to us, as it was happening with other services.

“We had a direct link, I later understood, with Bletchley Park who were able to tell us all sorts of things about what the messages were saying, but seldom if ever did such info reach the operator’s ears, for security reasons.

“Looking back on it all and learning more as you went on was rewarding and from my point of view, I was privileged to be part of such an incredible service operation.”

Ron’s daughter Carol said the upcoming service will be a memorable event for the veterans taking part.

She said: “To this day Dad can still send, receive and decipher Morse code, but he has never presented a wreath at a Remembrance service.

“Billy will be laying a wreath for Bomber Command, as he served in the 78th Squadron, while Dad will lay a wreath along with a current serving RAF member in 5001 Squadron, who will be attending in uniform, which I think is a wonderful gesture.

“Dad feels very honoured and particularly privileged to be doing this on the occasion of the RAF centenary year, alongside a fellow RAF veteran and a serving RAF member. It will be an extremely special occasion.”

A spokeswoman for Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council (ATACC) added: “It is an honour and a pleasure to give an opportunity for veterans and those still serving, to wear their medals with pride.

“Each year we welcome veterans to our remembrance service, as a number of residents served in the armed forces and our location to Faslane means that we also have residents and visitors who are still serving.

“At the centenary of the end of WW1, the ATACC wished to improve and update the war memorial, to show that 100 years on, the sacrifice and service is never forgotten.”