The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans recorded that volunteer London black cab drivers travelled to the Netherlands to support three British Second World War veterans at commemorations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt. Charity Today published the same account on 10 November 2026.
The veterans joined Dutch dignitaries, local communities and representatives of the British Embassy in the province of Zeeland to remember the British and Allied servicemen and civilians who lost their lives in the fighting that helped secure the liberation of the Netherlands. Arnhem veteran Geoff Roberts MBE attended with Paul Terry and Ivan Staines.
Saturday 31 October
On Saturday 31 October 2026, the Taxi Charity cabs led a convoy of historic military vehicles from the Liberation Museum Zeeland in Nieuwdorp to the Sloedam, where a commemorative service was held. Around 150 local schoolchildren also travelled in the historic vehicles. The figure is the charity's, not an official count.
The morning commemoration at the Sloedam included an address by Hugo de Jonge, King's Commissioner in Zeeland. The veterans and their drivers returned to the museum for lunch, then travelled to Baarland, the historic landing site of Scottish troops in October 1944, for a further commemoration.
At the museum
During the weekend the group visited the Liberation Museum Zeeland. Taxi Charity trustee Linda Baker donated her father Don Turrell's Glengarry, a number of Cameronians cap badges and photos. They met local volunteers and attended a barbecue with the people who had worked on the commemorations.
From the embassy
Keith Allan, Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy in The Hague, described the weekend. "What a great weekend in Zeeland, joining the King's Commissioner, Mayors, the local community and three British veterans of the Second World War, including our Arnhem hero Geoff Roberts MBE, to remember and honour those who fought in the Battle of the Scheldt - Slag om de Schelde - and helped to liberate the Netherlands. The Battle of the Scheldt was a fierce battle that claimed the lives of many British and Allied servicemen and civilians. A less well-known battle compared to Arnhem and others, but very important. At the Sloedam and Baarland, we remembered the Scottish 52nd Lowland Division and Cameronians who made amphibious landings in Buffalos. Many thanks to everyone involved in delivering a wonderful weekend of commemorations, including the excellent Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland. And thank you to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans for bringing our veterans to Zeeland and for taking such good care of them."
The vice chair
Paul Cook, vice chair of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, gave this account. "It was a real privilege to bring our veterans to Zeeland and to be part of such a special weekend. The welcome we received from our Dutch hosts was wonderful, and it was particularly moving to see the local community and so many young people involved in remembering the sacrifices made by those who fought for their freedom."
What the veterans picked out
The charity asked the three centenarians what stood out. Geoff Roberts picked out the Dutch hospitality, especially at the museum, and mealtimes with his fellow veterans. Geoff Roberts joked that he had never seen anyone eat so much in one sitting as fellow veteran Paul Terry. Paul Terry also picked out the museum, and the chance to lay a purple wreath in memory of the animals who served during wartime, alongside the traditional commemorative wreath. Paul Terry thoroughly enjoyed the trip and is already looking forward to the next one. Ivan Staines, who has a great affection for the Netherlands and its people, particularly the children, picked out travelling in a historic military vehicle.