75 YEARS ago today Victory in Europe was declared, a moment of jubilation for millions of people across the country.

But for George Notley, an ordinary seaman in the Royal Navy, war had not yet ended.

Born in Durrington in 1923, George joined the Navy at the age of 15, just a year before the start of the Second World War.

On May 8 1945, his 22nd birthday, he was on a ship heading out to Singapore.

"I was in the Mediterranean at that time so we didn't really celebrate," he recalled.

"We heard [the news] on the wires and as it was my birthday I got an extra tot of rum."

Learning that war in Europe had finished brought feelings of "relief" but as Japan was yet to surrender, "there was no jubilation for us".

He added: "I signed on for 12 years so I had no choice, we were told to do it and that was it.

"By the time we got [to Singapore] it was more or less over, we didn't actually get to do anything but we brought prisoners home."

After the war ended, George continued to serve in the Navy and travelled all over the world, from Sri Lanka to South Africa, bringing his family with him.

Among the many accolades he has been awarded is a British Empire Medal (BEM) and a Russian Ushakov medal honouring his role with the Arctic Convoys.

Talking about his time in the Navy he said: "It was very good, I would have happily stayed on if I could but at that time you had to retire at 45."

Although he didn't really celebrate the official surrender of the Nazis, George agrees it is important to commemorate the anniversary, adding: "It's not always cheerful for us, we lost friends and I do think about my old mates.

"It's celebrations tinged with a little bit of grief."

As for his 97th birthday, George will mark the occasion in the kitchen of his Wilton home.

"I will treat myself to a sirloin steak with eggs and chips with pepper sauce and a drop of rum."