Colin Thackery has always loved singing.
The 89-year-old spent 25 years in the Royal Artillery. He ended up going to fight in Korea just two months after marrying the love of his life, Joan. He and Joan were apart for two years.
While he was in the army, Thackery lost some of the hearing in one ear during an attack. Still, he continued singing. He performed throughout his time in the army. He also took part in a series of concerts while he was traveling on a ship from Lancashire to Korea.
“We went all over the brigade. They’d erect some sort of stage out of whatever they could find. We’d set up and the troops would sit on the ground – hundreds of them. We even entertained Americans, and Koreans would you believe! They didn’t understand a word we were saying, but they enjoyed the music,” Thackery told The Royal Chelsea Hospital.
When he got home from the war, he and Joan joined an Operatic Society together. Thackery says that Joan had an incredible voice.
“Joan had a very good alto voice. In fact, we both sang together in an operatic society,” Thackery told The Mirror.
Three years ago, Thackery lost his wife. He was devastated—the two had been together for 66 years. Thackery decided to move in with the Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea—a retirement home for former members of the British Army. There, he continued honing his singing skills.
In 2019, Thackery decided he wanted to try his luck auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent. Many of his Chelsea Pensioner friends came to support him.
Thackery began his act by explaining that he was dedicating his song to Joan. The judges were touched by this dedication.
“Colin, I think it’s incredible that you’ve come here,” David Walliams said. “The stage is yours.”
Thackery began belting out “The Wind Beneath My Wings” in his beautiful voice. The audience clapped and cleared as Thackery sang his heart out.
The judges were also amazed by Thackery’s voice. A few of the judges brushed away some tears while he was singing.
The judges voted for Thackery to go through to the next round, and he was thrilled! The winner of Britain’s Got Talent gets to perform in a Royal Variety Show before the Queen. Thackery says that performing for the Queen would be incredible.
“I served her for 25 years, I’d love to sing to her,” he said. “If I did, I would die happy.”
Thackery also said that his family is incredibly proud of him. His two children and four grandchildren have all called and texted to tell him that he did a great job.
“I’ve had my granddaughters texting me back. Saying, ‘Well done, granddad!’ They’re all for it.”
Thackery is an inspiring war veteran who has always turned to music in times of trouble. If you want to see his beautiful performance, check out the video below.
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