Reflections on Remembrance Day with Veteran Larry Rafferty

At 93 years old, Larry Rafferty carries with him a lifetime of history and perspective. Born in Blackpool, England in 1932, Larry grew up during the Second World War, which was a time that shaped his understanding of service, sacrifice, and resilience. His memories of the Blitz, wartime rations, and the spirit of his community remain vivid to this day.

In 1950, at just 18 years old, Larry began his own national service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and the 35th Field Ambulance, serving as a combat medic during the Korean War era. His service took him to Libya, where Britain was working to stabilize the region amid growing conflict. There, he trained as a nurse orderly and frequently joined desert patrols, an experience that earned him the nickname “Larry of the Sahara.”

Following his years in the military, Larry returned to England, married, and began a new career with the Atomic Energy Commission before eventually emigrating to Canada. Today, he calls Lindsay home and is a Transportation Client with Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes, where he continues to share his remarkable stories and insights with those around him.

In this special Remembrance Day feature, Larry reflects on the history of Remembrance Day itself — how it came to be, the origins of the legions, the memorials that stand to honour the fallen, and the importance of remembering those who served and sacrificed.

🎥 Watch the video below to hear Larry’s reflections in his own words, as we honour all who have served and continue to serve in the name of peace.