American filmmaker Rishi Sharma wants to interview World War Two veterans in Newbury

An American filmmaker who has interviewed thousands of Second World War veterans is planning to visit Newbury.

Californian documentary maker Rishi Sharma turned to a life on the road interviewing war veterans after graduating high school eight years ago.

The 26-year-old has since interviewed more than 2,500 veterans across all 50 American states, Canada, the UK, Australia, France and New Zealand — building one of the largest digital and audio archives of its kind worldwide.

He has now returned to the UK for a few weeks and is interested in speaking to veterans in West Berkshire and North Hampshire.

“I am the founder of Remember WWII, a non-profit organisation dedicated to filming in-depth video interviews with all the WWII combat veterans of the Allied countries,” said Mr Sharma.

“I do not take a salary, and all donations go directly to the travel of interviewing more heroes.

“The veterans are all given free copies of the interviews for them and their families.

“Remember WWII has partnered with schools and universities across the world that have incorporated our testimonies into their Second World War curriculum.”

Remember WWII also has a popular following on YouTube and TikTok, where Mr Sharma shares veterans’ testimonies with the general public.

Please visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRikw4uCjS8ck3O9Mj-N35Q to view Mr Sharma’s channel.

Mr Sharma’s mission to interview as many veterans as possible has gained him wide media attention in the BBC, Sky News, The Associated Press and CNN.

Last October, he struct an exclusive deal with media company Little Dot Studios and its streamer History Hit, founded by British popular historian, Dan Snow.

Whether you saw frontline service or worked behind the scenes during this conflict, please contact mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk if you are a veteran interested in being interviewed.