World War II veteran tells his story of being one of the first to cross enemy lines after the death of Adolf Hitler.
Jim Gettings is now 99, and his inspirational account of the part he played in the war is a story of dedication, brotherhood, service and sacrifice.
He was just 18 when he joined the Royal Marines and talks with great pride about the beginning of his journey.
"They say 'once a marine, always a marine’ and I’m so very proud to have served,” said Jim.
“The training was tough and it was great.
"We had such fantastic officers and NCO’s who would chase you and push you from day until night, but there was never any victimisation.
“This keeps you on your toes and makes you quick to follow orders and this is where I really felt part of a family... we were all very close.”
Jim served in the 28th battalion Royal Marines and they were used as infantry in Holland and Germany.
He was posted in Holland where he and his comrades held the South Bank of the River Maas.
“We held the South Bank of the river and the Germans held the North Bank and they were quite happy to be facing ’Tommys’ in Holland because on the Eastern Front their comrades were getting slaughtered, so they had no intention of attacking us,” Jim continued.
“We were in Holland for quite a while and we thought it was going to be a long, hard fight to beat the Germans in their own country, but we never stopped.
“If anyone tried to stop us the marvellous RAF came in with their Typhoons and they took everything out.
“We carried on like this right across Germany until we reached a vast army assembly and we thought this was it…this was the last big battle in order for us to get to the Baltic.
“We spent our time cleaning weapons, priming grenades and collecting ammunition, but the big final battle that we expected never came.
“It was April, 30, 1985 and Hitler was dead and we were all packed into our wagons and rattled across country for miles and miles until we reached an autobahn.
“We suddenly realised that we were travelling through German lands and there were thousands of people on each side and not a shot was fired.
“It wasn’t long until we were taking over military barracks to reach the end of our journey where we marched around the city square to show that it was officially occupied by the British.
Jim considers himself very lucky to have made it through and he came close to loosing his life on numerous occasions.
“I consider myself very lucky indeed as I had many close escapes,” he said.
“The closest I came to loosing my life was when we were on a patrol and we came out into open open country and suddenly there was a bloody great bang.
“We were thrown all over the place and I laid there for a bit and my pal Ginger said to me ‘Jim, I think I’ve been hit as I can’t feel my legs.”
“So I said ‘it’s alright Ginger, it's just me, I’m laying across your legs and I’ll get off you in a minute.”
“The shell had gone off as close as that and it nearly got us.
Taking about his feelings about the German soldiers when he and his comrades first arrived in Holland, Jim revealed that he had no hatred towards the enemy.
“I can only speak for myself, but I never hated the enemy, no.” Jim continued.
“I always respected the German soldiers and I think they were happy to have us on the other side of the river.
“They were just the enemy and we had a job to do.”
The 99-year-old, admitted that he often thinks about what he saw and what he did during the World War II.
“Sometimes I can’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday, but I can remember that.” he said.
“Those memories have been printed on my mind because I remember back to people, my comrades.
“I would never consider myself a hero. Those who didn’t make it home and gave their lives are the heroes.
“It’s important that we remember them because they gave their today for our tomorrow.
Jim reflected on more recent conflicts and says that military charities are vital to support veterans and their families.
“Many of those who are injured or suffer in other ways from their service are often young and in their prime, so we must look after them and their families,” said Jim.
“I’ve seen many many veterans who have been injured and lost limbs and they way they’ve picked themselves up and carried on with their lives is inspirational.
“The Veterans’ Foundation is doing a great job to help veterans and their families.”
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