D-Day veteran Les Underwood has claimed there is "no such thing as Great Britain anymore", as he reflects on the "lack of respect" young generations have towards the country.
This comes as earlier this month, the D-Day commemorations marked a monumental 80 years since the historic landings took place, and Underwood was one of the veterans who travelled to Normandy to pay his respects.
Underwood served as a Royal Naval Gunner during the events of 1944, and with the help of Taxi Charity For Military Veterans Ambassador Johnny Gallagher, was able to revisit where it all happened 80 years ago.
The 98-year-old was stationed on a merchant ship that unloaded ammunition day and night from the EnglishChannel. "All you could hear was men screaming and guns going," he said, recalling his friends’ bodies floating in the water.
Speaking to GB News, Underwood reflected on his trip to Normandy and said it was "upsetting" to think of the young men who lost their lives in the battle.
D-Day veteran Les Underwood admitted he 'wouldn't serve again' in modern Great Britain
GB News
Underwood told hosts Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner: "You think of the young boys, all in their 20s. I was 28 then, but there were still younger boys than me, because when I went, a lot of the boys in my time all put their ages up.
"They all frauded their birth certificates, just to get in, to follow my brothers."
Recalling his own application to volunteer in the Royal Navy, Underwood revealed that his mother had told him he "needed some discipline" on his consent form.
He added: "My dad, who was in the First World War, got buried alive three times. They gave them mustard gas, and he died with one lung crushed and the other one melted away by gas."
Les Underwood was one of the remaining veterans who travelled to Normandy to pay their respects to the fallen
Les Underwood / GB News
Turning the conversation to Gallagher and his involvement with the D-Day veterans, he revealed that he was inspired to get involved because it "makes him sick" to see the "state of this country" today.
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Gallagher explained: "As a young person in my 20s, it makes me sick to see the state of this country. I'm in London, I see the war statues get vandalised.
"I just see no love of country. There's talks about unity, can you imagine 16-year-olds now wanting to join the army?"
Andrew then noted the lack of knowledge about D-Day by British Gen-Z, and the "shocking revelation" that many of them didn't know about the events of 1944.
Underwood then revealed: "If you go to France or Ireland, all the children at school are taught. I even have cards from them, 12-year-olds saying to me, thank you.
Underwood claimed young generations in Britain have 'no respect' for their parents or the country
GB News
"I'm not saying all of them, but a great majority of teenagers have got no respect for their parents and no respect for older people."
When asked by Andrew if he would serve "had he had his time again", Underwood admitted he wouldn't, as there is "no such thing as Great Britain anymore".
The veteran from Romford said that Britain's high levels of crime meant the country he fought to protect was unrecognisable to him today. He told GB News: "Why would I fight for a country that I am scared to leave the house in case of getting mugged, stabbed or shot?
"As this country stands today, no I wouldn't. I wouldn't because we've got no Great Britain anymore. There's no such thing as Great Britain.
"Older people are being disrespected. I've got good neighbours who all come up to my carer and say we'll keep eye on him, but then you go up the road, you've got people who cause you nothing but trouble and violence. It's very sad and a lack of respect."
