Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘This is our star, look after it for us’: Veterans project love letter to EU on White Cliffs of Dover

'I feel really depressed at the idea that we are leaving Europe because it has meant so much to me'

Maighna Nanu
Friday 31 January 2020 17:39 GMT
Comments
Veterans project love letter to EU on White Cliffs of Dover

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two Second World War veterans have beamed a love letter to the EU on the White Cliffs of Dover asking them to “look after our star”.

On the early morning of Brexit day a short video of Sidney ‘Sid’ Daw and Stephen Goodall appeared on the cliffs in a touching tribute to the UK’s departure from the EU.

The end of the video shows one remaining star which appears alongside a message that reads: “This is our star. Look after it for us.”

The emotional appeal was projected onto the same stretch of coastline that returning soldiers saw upon their return from Dunkirk in 1940.

In the video Mr Goodall, 97, said: "I feel really depressed at the idea that we are leaving Europe because it has meant so much to me.

“I like to be called a European. And the feeling that one has of comradeship as one goes round Europe is really quite something.”

He added: “At my age I shan’t be living much longer but I hope that, for the sake of my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren, that England, Britain will move back to be much closer to Europe than what we have done now.”

Stephen Goodall said he is "depressed" that Britain is leaving the EU
Stephen Goodall said he is "depressed" that Britain is leaving the EU (PA)

Fellow veteran Mr Daw made a heartfelt plea to Europeans across the continent: “Look from your side to this side, see these white cliffs, and we’re looking across at you feeling we want to be together and we will be together before long, I’m sure.”

The 95-year-old fought in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the war.

He added: “I feel very, very sad about it all because we don’t know which way things are going.”

Sid Daw speaking in an emotional message on the day Britain leaves the EU
Sid Daw speaking in an emotional message on the day Britain leaves the EU (PA)

The video lit up the Kent landmark just after midnight on Friday morning.

The moving message, made by anti-Brexit campaign group Led by Donkeys, was translated into French and German.

Led by Donkeys organiser Ben Stewart, 45, said:”It was a real honour to put their words up there.

Stewart said the group wanted to demonstrate that the UK is not just “crass Nigel Farage and Brexit Party MEPs”.

He added: “There seems no better choice of people for the nation that we are than Steve and Sid.”

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in