Alec Penstone, a 100-year-old British World War II veteran who played a vital role during the D-Day landings by clearing mines, recently made headlines by expressing deep disappointment in the current state of the United Kingdom. Speaking on Good Morning Britain during Remembrance Sunday, Penstone questioned the worth of the sacrifice made by him and his fallen comrades, saying that the country they fought for "wasn't worth" what Britain has become today.
Penstone vividly described how he sees "rows and rows of white stones" commemorating the hundreds of friends who gave their lives during the war—an image he keeps in his mind’s eye. Yet, the Britain of today does not honor their memory in the way he hoped. He stated, “We fought for freedom, but now it’s worse than when I fought.” His comments reflect a sense of disillusionment with modern Britain, which he feels has "gone to rack and ruin."
Born in 1925, Penstone joined the war effort at age 15, initially working as an air raid messenger before serving on a submarine and HMS Campania during the D-Day invasion. His stirring words reflect a broader concern shared by many veterans who see political, social, and economic changes in Britain that they feel betray the values and freedoms they fought to protect.
The veteran lamented feeling like a foreigner in his own country, expressing hope that the younger generations would rise up and restore the nation to its former dignity. Despite his harsh critique, Penstone was acknowledged for his bravery and service, with the hosts and public thanking him and emphasizing the responsibility of current and future generations to build a better Britain.
His statement sparked discussion around the sacrifices of the "Greatest Generation" and the legacy of World War II in contemporary Britain, highlighting tensions between historical reverence and present-day realities. Penstone’s poignant message serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of war and the ongoing challenge of preserving the freedoms won through immense sacrifice.
Alec Penstone is a distinguished Royal Navy veteran who served during World War II and recently celebrated his 100th birthday. His military journey began after initially working in munitions production. Despite early attempts to join the Merchant Navy being unsuccessful, he was eventually accepted into the Royal Navy and trained at Edgeware. Penstone underwent specialized training in Scotland as a submarine detector, where he learned to operate secret weaponry, including the “Hedgehog” anti-submarine device, which involved underwater training.
During the D-Day invasion, Penstone played an important role serving below decks. He notably served as coxswain to a 16-foot motorboat, which transported his ship's captain and his wife, participating directly in the landing operations. Following the end of the war in Europe, Penstone was involved in missions to ensure the surrender of enemy U-boats and participated in Arctic Circle operations, working with the Norwegian Resistance to secure the region.
Aside from his combat roles, Penstone was recognized for his bravery, including a commendation for attempting to rescue four people during a bombing raid. Throughout his career, he was awarded multiple medals, notably including Russian medals such as the Medal of Ushakov for his convoy work delivering essential supplies to the Soviet Union during WWII.
In later life, Penstone lost his sight, but has shared his wartime experiences in podcasts and interviews, reflecting both the valor of his generation and his poignant critique of the modern state of Britain. His service, bravery awards, and specialized naval training highlight a remarkable military career marked by courage and dedication
Alec Penstone served in the Royal Navy during World War II, with a career that involved several specialized roles and units. Initially, he trained at Edgeware as part of his induction into the Navy. He then received further specialized training in Scotland as a submarine detector operator, where he gained expertise in using secret weaponry such as the “Hedgehog” anti-submarine weapon system.
During the D-Day landings, Penstone was assigned roles below decks on ships supporting the invasion. He notably operated as the coxswain (the person in charge of navigation and steering) of a 16-foot motorboat that transported the ship's captain and his wife to the beaches during the Normandy invasion.
Post-D-Day, Penstone was tasked with ensuring the surrender of German U-boats, a critical role in securing control over submarine threats. He also participated in Arctic Circle operations where he worked alongside the Norwegian Resistance to facilitate the liberation and stabilization of that region.
His service record includes convoy duty delivering essential wartime supplies to the Soviet Union, notably through the perilous Arctic convoys, for which he was awarded the Russian Medal of Ushakov. His service units include naval vessels involved in these front-line operations, but specific ship names beyond the HMS Campania (an aircraft carrier supporting the D-Day landings) are not highlighted in detail.
Overall, Penstone's record reflects a dedicated naval career involving anti-submarine warfare, amphibious landing support, and convoy escort duties in multiple theatres of the war.
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