Alec Penstone – a 100-year-old D-Day veteran from Shanklin – has said that the sacrifices of his fallen comrades were not worth it given the state of Britain today.
The former Royal Navy serviceman appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday morning in a deeply emotional interview that has since gone viral, sparking a nationwide debate about the country’s direction and the legacy of his generation’s sacrifice.
Speaking softly but with unmistakable conviction, Penstone reflected on the friends he lost during the Second World War and questioned whether their efforts had truly secured the better future they fought for.
He said:
“My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye those rows and rows of white stones and all the hundreds of my friends and everybody else, that gave their lives – for what? The country of today? No, I’m sorry – but the sacrifice wasn’t worth the result that it is now.”
He went on to add:
“What we fought for was our freedom – we fought for it. Even now, it’s a darn sight worse than when I fought for it.”
His words, filled with quiet sorrow, have resonated across the nation. Clips of the interview have been viewed millions of times on social media, with many describing his comments as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘a wake-up call’ about the state of modern Britain.
Others have said they understood his disillusionment, while some argued that despite its flaws, today’s country remains one that his generation can still be proud of.
During the broadcast, presenter Kate Garraway was visibly moved as she thanked Penstone for his service and his honesty.
Garraway said:
“Alec, I’m sorry you feel like that and I want you to know that all the generations that have come since, including me and my children, are so grateful for your bravery. It’s our job now to make it the country that you fought for, and we will do.”
Penstone replied with humility, saying it was reassuring to know there were still people determined to keep the memory of his generation alive.
The interview has since drawn international attention, with media outlets and commentators highlighting the emotional power of a man who, after a century of life, still feels the weight of war. Many saw in his words a reflection of a wider unease – a belief that the ideals once fought for have been overshadowed by division, decline and uncertainty.
Though Penstone’s message was personal, its impact has been collective. His reflections have reignited conversation about remembrance, responsibility and what kind of country those sacrifices were meant to build.
A respected figure in his local community, Penstone moved to Shanklin in 2008 after living in London and Burton-on-Trent. He has been described as the last remaining D-Day veteran living on the Isle of Wight and remains an active member of the Royal Navy Association and the Royal British Legion.
Alec’s autobiography, My Ten and a Half Arctic Convoys, has been promoted locally, and he continues to attend remembrance events and share his experiences with younger generations.
Yet it was not his service record, but his unguarded honesty, that has struck such a chord. For many, his words embody both gratitude and grief – pride in what was given, and pain in what he believes has been lost.
As the nation prepares to remember the fallen once again, Alec Penstone’s question lingers in the minds of millions: was it worth it – and if not, why not?
He was collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Morrisons Lake on Thursday and we spoke with him.
He is sadly absolutely tight.
Although life here is not perfect, it is a whole lot better than the multi cultural, dystopian nightmare on the mainland, epitomised outside Aston Villa football ground and Tower Hamlets.
Be thankful you live here.
It’s because of the attitudes before the war that we have multiculturalism. The war was not Germany v Engerland, we were part of an allegiance who stood against Hitler’s warped ideology of racial purity. To want to return to a version of non-multiculturalism to such an extent as is being drummed up by the likes of Tommy Robinson and Reform, and gaining traction daily reminds a lot of us oldies of just how easy it was for fascist ideology to go mainstream with the unthinking, trusting, ordinary German people and morph into Nazism, where anyone not deemed ‘pure’ enough to live in society was witch-hunted almost to extinction. It’s called Groupthink, and it worked for Hitler.
People need to think carefully about which side they think they’re on.
People are people, same fears, same needs…not matter the colour of their skin, or religion.
Have you been living under a rock for the last 20-30 years? This is similar in many ways to what the nazis were trying to do. Muslims have been invading the uk and many other parts of Europe for decades. Do you want sharia law? It will be too late by the time fools like you wake up and realise one day very soon the “english” will be a minority
I wouldn’t get Sharia law…I’m not Muslim. It’s largely, for them, a moral code. It has no legal basis in the UK, or any other non-Muslim country, nor will it ever.
The Nazis gained traction because they systematically told the people they were being ‘invaded’ by Jews, out to take over their country, wealth and inflict their religion on Germany, Europe and the world. Sound familiar, does it?
For us to soon be a minority, there would need to be a mass influx of roughly 67 million Muslims which would double our population and tip the balance by one million.Can you honestly see that happening ‘soon’?
Maybe it’s you and the drip fed unthinking populace who need to wake up? Muslims, like the Jews, are not the bogeyman. They’re largely just people raising families.
you are wrong.
in 1970’s lebanon, it was 53% christian and they let more muslims in. The locals all said that islam and sharia was nothing to do with them. Fast forward to 2025, lebanon is over 75% muslim, sharia is across the country in one form or another and the now minority christians are persecuted daily.
back in the days of christian majority, lebanon was a very rich and peaceful place to live – today it is a violent and poor place to live
take the warning and learn from this fact of life in lebanon.
Too late, in many parts of the country english
is the minority, the big smoke is proof of that.
It is more about culture and common purpose than race, if you migrate to a place adapt to it, respect it, help change it positively, but don’t take advantage of it, don’t feel entitled. Linking everything back to National Socialism is a little too easy. We need to agree common values. All said by an immigrant!
No, you are quite wrong. Groupthink is what we have right now and, as has been exposed this week, the BBC is its mouthpiece. Be it Gaza, Trans rights, Trump, Climate change, Brexit, the British Empire and a host of other things, there is now only one way to think. To do otherwise is to invite scorn and insult. Now we discover, to nobody’s surprise, that these views are being taught in schools. These are the very places where children should be encouraged to think for themselves, instead of which we have indoctrination. The only similarity between this country today and Germany in the ’30’s is the terrifying rise in antisemitism to which the authorities turn a blind eye, just as they did there. The D day veteran is 100% correct.
Yes, groupthink IS what we have right now….because people believe the spin and don’t look for facts. Agreeing that there IS climate change is not groupthink, that’s based on fact. Believing there ISN’T is groupthink. Trans rights advocation is not groupthink, rights are rights…same rights for all without discrimination. Climate change, BE and Brexit are all fact-checkable. FACTS are taught in schools which also encourage kids to form their own views based on the evidence available anywhere, everywhere…not just textbooks. In this way we differ today from yesterday’s Germany and book burning…erasure of alternative views and facts. There are many ways to think, all have merit but it should eventually come down to fairness for ALL, not just the few who shouted the loudest or had the biggest stick. That used to be what being British was all about, and something to indeed be proud of. Now we are a nation of me first’s, entitled, privileged elbow’s-out hatemongers without compassion for others hiding in a shouty mob at any outgroup deemed ‘different’. whether that be culturally, racially, sexually, politically. I see no dignity, couth or sustainable advantage in that growth; if it continues to its natural conclusion you’ll all soon be eating each other!
Deliberately or not, you are choosing to disregard what I said.
The current establishment views on the subjects I listed are all subjective. Colonialism, which is really what I meant by British Empire, is a case in point. Children in school are now taught that it was a wholly bad thing for which we are uniquely guilty and of which we should be utterly ashamed. This, of course, is complete rubbish.
I could expend on the other headings, but time doesn’t allow, besides which you probably won’t pick up this delayed response anyway. I would only like to add that your failure to come back on my comment regarding the BBC is telling. Recent events have only served to strengthen my case.
How right you are.
The first domino to fall, Head of the BBC,Tim Davie has resigned.
Now let us clear out the rest of the minority Libturds.
The problem with many Reform voters they
are r acists.
He is sadly absolutely Right – not tight. My apologies Alec
the nightmare outside Aston Villa is triggered by Tommy Robinson and his mates.
i think you need to look at the paedophile crimes on the island before you criticise the mainland!
Not to mention Green Street, Upton Park.
I did read recently on the daily echo that migrants may
be housed in Fort Blockhouse barracks at Gosport.
There are loads in hotels in Bournemouth, they are
getting closer to the island.
Says everything that’s wrong with our broken country..no morals society broken down..
He is, sadly, absolutely right!!
We have a government who seem incapable of doing what is right for this country and its citizens. Combine that with their mad socialist ideals and you get the mess that our country is in today.
Many have said they are proud of what our country once was, but now ashamed by what our government is doing to it!
Hes absolutly right we have imported so much scum walkaround mainland citys lots of no go areas, nothing to do with being racist, i agree with reform no one who has an ounce of commen sense in there stupid heads can see immigration is out of control, imigrants wellcome really madness, this once great nation destroyed by left wing idiots.
But at least they can spell. And just so you know (as you clearly don’t keep abreast of facts and figures either) net migration has fallen under the left wing idiots from it’s peak under the right wing capitalists, who profited heavily from it because in general MIGRANTS EARN MORE SO PAY MORE TAX.
The NHS needs migrants to fill the numbers, many
of them also do a better job than English NHS
employees, they are more reliable and caring.
Thats exactly what i would expect from a left wing person who is so blind to the truth the facts, no wonder the place is ruined, im not racist just speak the truth i have many muslim friends who work hard and they to feel the same about the state of the place
You are so brainwashed thats why we are in such a mess but your entitled to say what you think and so am i thats democracy not racism
Democracy is rule by the people….racism is marginalisation and discrimination of one group in favour of another. You seem confused.
Brainwashing is usually being edged towards a way of thinking when a person didn’t really have an opinion to start with. A strong fundamental tenet, or belief system…principles if you will….more often is averse to any attempt at brainwashing. It goes against our basic principles, see.
Reform is not the answer to the problem, they talk a
good story, but can they deliver.
They talk the talk, but can they walk the walk!.
Of course the state of the nation has nothing to do with the billionaires who run it. Always blame the poorest, the weakest, divide and conquer. Feed the stupid and they will feast. Take your heads out of you a***s and look how you’re being played. The state of the nation has nothing to do with immigrants, or multiculturalism, both have helped put the great in Great Britain. Look who’s really ruining the country and stop swallowing the social media b****x you’re being fed.
I can’t agree with everything thing said but Britain is on a slippery slope down words time is running out strong actions are needed if you put your foot down you will always tread on some bodies to toes
I guess that life under the Nazis, Communists and Japs would have been better? I think not! They, were thankfully beaten by an entire generation who not only were born out of another war (WWI) but also survived a Depression – heroic deeds indeed. Thank-you. Today, the defence forces and politicians continue our struggle of ‘Choice’ , in a manner that requires support and continued vigilance.
This Military hero is right, but it’s too late for change
the damage is done.
It is extremely sad when you hear that 100 year old Mr Penstone feels “The sacrifice wasn’t worth it”.
It confirms that Britain is broken.
At first they did achieve a better world. The Atlee government , pensions for working people, the NHS, and much more. This has mostly been undermined since Thatcher. It has little to do with immigration, and much more to do with deregulation of capitalism. The fat cats are eating a disproportionate share of the wealth, and society is getting poorer
garbage
1979 under labour – 83% top tax rate, 98% tax on returns on capital. The rich left in droves, rampant strikes, 3 day week, blackouts, bread lines in streets for food, high unemployment, high inflation, poor got even poorer, the prime minister had to get a loan from the IMF. Torys were voted in, taxes were cut, the rich returned and the country recovered.
I’ve been wondering for years why my father and all my uncles sacrificed their lives and/or their sanity in WW2. We did have security and freedom for a while but it’s all been given away to such an extent that we can’t fly our country’s flag in case somebody is offended. It’s all gone – in the end it was all for nothing.
Yawn
That’s because your flag was hijacked. Never in the past had it been used as a symbol to castigate minority groups or drum up hatred for refugees. It now offends me, white, British and aged.
tripe
are you saying that the pakistanis, chinese and africans that all fly their flags proudly are doing so, to intimidate white and non nationals in their own countries
You should not bother responding to such people as they are [programmed to keep repeating the same mantra – “Far Right” – “Ban Fracking” – “Trans Rights (or men who want to get undressed in women’s spaces/women CAN have a penis and menstruate)” – “Brexit” – “DEI” – blah blah blah ad infinitum. They know no better.
My late father fought in WW2 and yes look at the state of the
country.
Home grown numpties born and bred in the UK
disrespect each other, many park illegally, many speed
and many break numerous laws.
Churches have been turned into homes, pubs and snooker
halls etc.
So yes this veteran is correct, the country is in a state
all down to home grown persons, nothing to do with
other cultures / nationalities, many of these persons have
helped build up Britain after WW2.