A 103-Year-Old World War II veteran, PCE 61343 Emmanuel Darkey, was the special guest at this year’s Remembrance Day celebration at the Ho Jubilee Park last Tuesday.
The oldest war veteran in the Volta Region, who can only walk now with assistance and talks with difficulty, arrived at the park to thunderous cheers from the crowd and a standing ovation from the dignitaries and members of the public.
PCE Darkey was enlisted into the Gold Coast Army during World War II and was sent on duty to Lagos, Nigeria, and later to Abyssinia (Ethiopia).
When he returned home after the war, he was discharged without any pay or retirement benefits.
When he demanded an explanation from the army, he was told the colonial masters had left the country.
Monthly pay
However, in 1979, the then Head of State, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, heard the old soldier’s story and placed him on a monthly payroll.
Emmanuel Darkey (2nd from right), 103-year-old World War II veteran, arriving at the parade ground
“Like I die long time. I salute the late Jerry John Rawlings for his great work done,” the war veteran, who now lives in Peki, said.
Contingents from the 66 Artillery Brigade in Ho, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service and veteran soldiers took part in a parade at the park to mark the day.
Wreaths were also laid in honour of fallen war heroes during the event.
