D-Day Veteran Mervyn Kersh: UK ‘Disappointing’ Like Pre-WW2

Key Points

• Mervyn Kersh, a 101-year-old D-Day veteran from Cockfosters, north London, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours for his school talks on Holocaust remembrance and wartime service.​
• Mr Kersh described the honour as a “wonderful thing” and likened it to receiving France’s Legion d’honneur, emphasising its significance from his own country.​
• He expressed deep disappointment with modern Britain, stating his Second World War service “was worth it” but “It’s disappointing what’s turned out now”.​
• Mr Kersh highlighted rising antisemitism in the UK, noting efforts to educate about the Holocaust “do not always work” and “What’s disappointing is the antisemitism that I see everywhere, hear everywhere, or read”.​
• He warned of parallels to pre-Second World War mistakes, citing Russia’s threat to the West and comparing current leaders to Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement policy.​
• Mr Kersh prioritised defence spending, insisting “Defence must come first, second, third, fourth and fifth, because only if you’re strong, you won’t be attacked”.​
• During D-Day, he arrived in Normandy at age 19, three days after the invasion on 6 June 1944, serving as a technical clerk with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps organising vehicle support; later stationed near Bergen-Belsen during its liberation in April 1945.​
• In school talks, he explains how the war began, lamenting “There’d be no need for a war now, we’ve got the wrong attitude”.​
• Coverage spans multiple outlets including MyLondon, The Independent, BBC News, BBC London, and Press Association interviews.​

North London D-Day Veteran Mervyn Kersh Voices Disappointment with Modern Britain Amid New Year Honour

Mervyn Kersh, a 101-year-old resident of Cockfosters in north London, has received the British Empire Medal in the 2026 New Year Honours list. As reported by MyLondon news team, this D-Day veteran from the Second World War described contemporary Britain as “disappointing” while warning that the nation risks repeating errors from the pre-war era [ from MyLondon]. The announcement, covered extensively by The Independent and BBC outlets, underscores Mr Kersh’s lifetime of service and education efforts [page:1 from The Independent].​

Mr Kersh’s candour emerged in interviews with the Press Association, relayed across media platforms. He reflected on his award, stating it felt like a “wonderful thing” akin to France’s Legion d’honneur—its highest military honour—but held special weight from his homeland. Despite pride in the recognition for his Holocaust remembrance talks in schools and wartime contributions, Mr Kersh did not shy from critique. “It’s disappointing what’s turned out now,” he told the Press Association, as quoted in The Independent.​

Who is Mervyn Kersh and What Service Did He Render?

Mervyn Kersh, born in 1924, joined the war effort amid the tense atmosphere of 1939. As detailed in his personal account on Normandy1944.info, he recalled the moment Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 via radio, evoking initial excitement tempered by awareness of modern warfare’s horrors.​

At 19, Mr Kersh landed in Normandy three days after D-Day on 6 June 1944. Serving as a technical clerk in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps under 2nd Army HQ—primarily supporting the 50th Highland Division—he organised vital vehicle support. The unit, part of Montgomery’s 21st Army Group, faced delays due to stormy weather but pressed on from Gosport.​

Later, stationed near Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Mr Kersh witnessed its liberation by British troops in April 1945. BBC News reports confirm this timeline, noting his role in the broader Normandy campaign. Post-war, Mr Kersh has dedicated decades to educating schoolchildren, sharing how conflicts arise from misguided attitudes.​

Why Does Mervyn Kersh Find UK Today Disappointing?

Mr Kersh’s dismay centres on perceived societal and security failures. As reported by The Independent’s coverage of his Press Association interview, he lamented:

“What’s disappointing is the antisemitism that I see everywhere, hear everywhere, or read”.

He admitted his Holocaust education efforts “do not always work,” voicing concerns over rising antisemitism in the UK.​

“It’s disappointing what’s turned out now,” Mr Kersh reiterated, believing his wartime service “was worth it” yet questioning current outcomes. BBC London highlighted this sentiment in a social media post:

“Mervyn Kersh, a 101-year-old D-Day veteran, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours”

amid his broader critiques.​

Reddit discussions on r/ukpolitics echoed these quotes, with users like StationNo9739 noting fuller contexts from original reports, including Mr Kersh’s view that Britain has “gone downhill”.​

What Pre-Second World War Mistakes Does He Warn Against?

Mr Kersh draws stark parallels to the 1930s. “There’d be no need for a war now, we’ve got the wrong attitude,” he tells schoolchildren, as per The Independent. He “absolutely” sees similarities to the pre-war period, pointing to Russia “threatening the west”.​

As quoted in The Independent, Mr Kersh criticised Western leaders akin to Neville Chamberlain, whose appeasement of Hitler failed:

“They think they’ve just got to hope and make speeches”.

He urged a shift:

“We’ve got to either have another leader who’s more aggressive, I don’t mean start a war, but aggressive. We’ve got to defend, that’s the first concern”.​

How Does Mervyn Kersh View Defence Priorities?

Defence tops Mr Kersh’s agenda. “The top budget should be defence, there’s nothing there for anything else. That’s all there is,” he insisted to the Press Association, reported by The Independent. He prioritised unequivocally:

“Defence must come first, second, third, fourth and fifth, because only if you’re strong, you won’t be attacked”.​

This stance underscores his belief in strength as deterrence, contrasting with what he sees as inadequate current postures.​

What is the Context of Similar Veteran Sentiments?

Mr Kersh’s views align with other veterans’ expressions. While distinct, Alec Penstone, a 100-year-old Royal Navy D-Day veteran, told Good Morning Britain in a TalkTV clip: “I see rows of white stones, friends who died—for what? The country now? No, it wasn’t worth it”. Penstone, who cleared mines and served on HMS Campania, added:

“We fought for freedom, but now it’s worse than when I fought”.​

A related headline on Reddit referenced a “D-Day hero” claiming the UK “has gone to rack and ruin,” echoing themes without naming Mr Kersh. These voices amplify Mr Kersh’s, though his BEM award provides fresh prominence.​

What Recognition Has Mervyn Kersh Received?

The British Empire Medal honours Mr Kersh’s dual legacy: wartime duty and Holocaust education. MyLondon first detailed his Cockfosters roots and award [ from MyLondon]. BBC News articles emphasise the New Year Honours context.​

A Getty Images video captures the story visually:

“Mervyn Kersh, 101, from Cockfosters, north London, said being honoured for his school talks on Holocaust remembrance and his wartime service is…”.

Press Association interviews, foundational to all coverage, ensure wide attribution.​

Broader Media Coverage and Public Reaction

Outlets proliferated the story post-28 December 2025. The Independent published on 28 December, detailing full quotes. BBC followed on 29 December with “Honoured veteran, 101, disappointed with UK”. BBC London posted on Facebook and X: “Mervyn Kersh, a 101-year-old D-Day veteran, has been awarded a British Empire Medal”.​

Reddit’s r/ukpolitics thread on 29 December dissected nuances, with helpnxt quoting:

“What’s disheartening is the antisemitism that I encounter everywhere”.

Normandy1944.info preserves Mr Kersh’s 2022 memoir, adding historical depth.