Taxi Charity Transports Veterans for Dutch Liberation Parade
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans are a volunteer organisation striving to work for the benefit of UK veterans from all conflicts. Formerly known as the London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled, it was formed in Fulham back in 1948.
The charity relies on licensed London cabbies to provide the support they do. Volunteer drivers offer up their time and their cabs to provide veterans with regular outings and trips abroad.
One of their most recent trips abroad saw 30 black cabs transport WWII veterans to the Netherlands. This journey was to join the Dutch celebration of ‘Bevrijdingsdag’ or Liberation Day.
Liberation Day
Liberation Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands, celebrating their liberation from Nazi occupation on May 5th, 1945. On this day, there are veteran's parades and music festivals across the country to commemorate the momentous occasion.
A large number of British forces were dedicated to helping liberate the Netherlands during WWII. On May 5th, 1945, Allied forces reached an agreement with German leadership about the capitulation of their forces in the Netherlands. The capitulation agreement was signed the next day at Wageningen University.
A few of our favourite photos from the Liberation Day Parade in Wageningen last week. The veterans led the televised parade, driven in golf carts and black taxis. Ray Whitwell (103) & Major Ted Hunt (102) sat in Wageningen Sq with the invited dignitaries. https://t.co/33rxTMqBcP pic.twitter.com/ZArBh82brI
— Taxi Charity (@TaxiCharity) May 9, 2022
The Taxi Charity helped transport 25 British veterans to Wageningen to join the festivities on the 77th anniversary of Liberation Day.
Leading the parade
The veterans were invited to lead the parade by the Dutch organisers. From the moment the taxi convoy arrived in the Netherlands, they received a police escort to take them the 75 miles to Wageningen.
The veterans then led a televised parade in three black cabs and three golf buggies, through the centre of the city. Thousands of men, women, and children lined the streets, showering their liberators with flowers and applause as they made their way to Wageningen Square.
There, they met with dignitaries, including members of the Dutch royal family and the Dutch Defence Minister. Dick Goodwin, Vice President, Taxi Charity, said:
“The outpouring of love for the veterans is incredible throughout our stay, but during the parade the noise of them thanking their liberators is deafening. Our veterans sit in three golf buggies and three black taxis at the head of the parade and the streets are lined by thousands of men women and children who cheer, applaud, and shower their liberators with flowers as we progress through the town.”
“It is a truly moving and unforgettable experience and there are tears from both those in the parade and those who have come to say thank you and to celebrate their freedom.”
Frans Ammerlaan from The Market Garden Foundation, coordinates with the Taxi Charity to arrange the visits to The Netherlands. Commenting, he said:
“I have been working with the Taxi Charity for many years to facilitate their visits. I consider myself very fortunate to call the volunteer Taxi drivers, the carers, charity team and the veterans my friends.”
“As the veterans are in either their late nineties or hundreds the planning is complex, but it is so rewarding to see the joy when the veterans and the Dutch people come together to remember.”
JP and Ryan are fortunate enough to be chatting to the Taxi Charity about the incredible work they do, on an upcoming episode of the What Time You On ‘Til? podcast. For more information about the work they do, click here.