DEAR EDITOR, - Thank you for your VE Day Special (May 11th), which brought memories of that day for me. At that time, I was in Combined Operations, RN, attached to 525 LGA Royal Marine flotilla aboard the landing ship HMS Silvio.

Following landings down the Arakan to Rangoon in Burma, we had returned to HMS Silvio with released POWs from Rangoon prison.

On our return we were informed that the European war had ended, and on the order of the King and Admiral of the Force, the mainbrace should be spliced - that meant two tots of rum.

At 10.30 am we set sail again for a destination unknown, and at 10.40 am we were mined, which caused major damage, causing many casualties. It was damage control for three days, during which we had no fresh water.

We eventually arrived in Trincomalee Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) doing a speed of three knots.

It was only then we could celebrate VE Day and give thanks to the Good Lord.

But our war was far from ended - the Japanese were still giving stiff resistance.

L. J. BREEZE Preswylfa, 61 Newtown Road, Hook.