Speaker and Chelsea Pensioners turn on Big Ben's symbolic light to mark WW2's end
In 1945, the Speaker of the House of Commons switched on the light at the top of Big Ben, which symbolised that the end of the Second World War was approaching.
Eighty years on and Douglas Clifton Brown's symbolic journey to the top of Big Ben within the Elizabeth Tower has been replicated by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the current Speaker of the House of Commons, and two Chelsea Pensioners.
During the Second World War, the Ayrton light was switched off, along with the lift that transports people up a part of Elizabeth Tower and the clock face illuminations.
It was part of the blackout, which came in when the war began and saw all artificial light minimised at night so enemy bombers could not find their targets.
But days before VE day, and Hitler's suicide, Clifton Brown switched back on the light, which was symbolic of peace returning to the UK.
BFBS Forces News joined the Speaker and the veterans on their journey to the top of Elizabeth Tower to recreate the symbolic gesture.
Sir Lindsay repeated the speech given by Clifton Brown 80 years ago as the lights were turned back on.
He told BFBS Forces News how the light had been turned off for five years, seven months and 23 days before it was turned back on, signaling to London, and the rest of Britain, that it could try to return to some sort of normality.
He said Douglas Clifton Brown turning the lights back on told London that "Parliament is up - democracy survived the onslaught of the fascism spreading across Europe".
"To recreate this 80 years on is an absolute privilege for me," he said.
The Speaker also said he was "so moved" to make the trip up the tower with the veterans.
Usually, the Ayrton Light, which sits above the clock face and was installed in 1885, is only turned on when the House of Commons or House of Lords are sitting after dark.
The journey saw the group taken up to the belfry, where the Big Ben bell is visible, from which there are 22 steps up to the next level and a further then 43 steps up a spiral staircase to the Ayrton Light.
One of the veterans who made the trip was Tony Hunt, 85, who said as a "London boy", it had been a privilege and an honour to climb Elizabeth Tower for the event and "be so close to what is our heritage".
He was a child during the blackout, but told BFBS Forces News what he remembers of it.
"I can remember the lights being off the day before and the next day, the lights are on," Mr Hunt said.
"London was… lights off, lights on, don't draw the blinds, keep them shut, the next day… the lights were on and people were trying to get back to normal."
He also spoke of families being reunited.
"That meant alot to me as a boy, [having] been away from family," he said
The other veteran who took part was John Morris, who turned 103 this week.
He served with the Royal Artillery as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Blitz and the Battle of Britain.
He is also the last surviving member of the Raiding Support Regiment, elite special fighters who took part in the campaign to liberate Italy and Yugoslavia.
Sir Lindsay said taking part in the event with Mr Morris was "very moving".
Mr Morris, who was still serving on VE Day guarding a prisoner of war camp, headed to the Belfry level, where he had a conversation with Sir Lindsay.
He told BFBS Forces News it was a "great honour" to be involved, adding that it is important for young people today to remember those who served in the Second World War.
"I try to speak to a lot of school children, I love doing that… I think they should know the great sacrifice some of their forefathers made," he said.
It wasn't just Mr Morris who had a message for the younger generation.
Mr Hunt, who lost both parents in the war, said we should "be proud of what people gave".
"Feeling how lucky they are to be here with guys that gave their all, and the ladies of course," he said.
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