It was the deadliest conflict the planet has ever seen, with up to 55 million soldiers and civilians killed by fighting. A further 20 million people are believed to have died of disease and famine resulting from the war.

Each year, we mark Armistice Day as the main remembrance event, but the early May bank holiday has been moved to mark the special VE anniversary this year.

The surviving veterans, who will never forget the horrors of the war, are now all in their 90s or older, such as Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £30 million for the NHS to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He has rightly been called a hero for his outstanding fundraising efforts for his 100th birthday, but was even more deserving of the accolade for his bravery during the Second World War. While many made the ultimate sacrifice, he and his fellow soldiers saw sights that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie.

Brave servicemen such as Capt Tom took on a vicious and ruthless enemy to secure the freedom we take for granted today – the restrictions we face under lockdown hardly compare to the six years of hardship and fighting our grandparents’ generation went through.

It is impossible to comprehend the scale of the loss of life on all sides, especially the millions of young men who lost their lives fighting for king and country. The families of those killed in action would not find out until days or weeks later that their loved ones would not return. In many cases, their bodies were not found or could not be properly identified, adding to the anguish of their families, who tortured themselves imagining the final moments of their sons and husbands in battle.

Both of my grandfathers fought in the Second World War. Neither liked to talk about what they had seen, especially with grandchildren who were of primary school age at the time. These were ordinary people, taken from ordinary life to face a fight to the death. Having survived, they and the rest of the world, tried to return to their ordinary lives – or as close to normality as they could. 

This is why it is so important that events such as VE Day are remembered, especially when the time that has passed covers two generations.

The current lockdown has meant that large-scale, official commemorations cannot take place. And, had we not been social distancing, many people would have probably seen it as a day off work and, if the weather is good, an opportunity to enjoy a barbecue or trip to the pub.

But maybe lockdown will give us all a chance to think about what we are actually commemorating. We are remembering the brave souls who died fighting for their countries. We remember the millions of innocent men, women and children brutally slaughtered by the Nazis. We give thanks for those who risked their own lives to fight for our freedom.

While we may not be able to get Union Flags, bunting, party hats, etc, it gives us a chance to think about what we are really commemorating. Enjoy (more) time with the family, get out the barbecue and raise a glass or two, but please spare a thought about the true meaning of VE Day – Victory in Europe.