Rehabilitated Irish World War II soldiers

As Ireland remained neutral during the Second World War, the Irish joined the British forces in order to fight against Hitler.

Upon returning from the battlefield, the Irish, wearing their British uniforms, would receive the "title" of deserters and be an example of shame.

On the walls of Paddy Reed's house are photographs of his father who served in the British units in Burma. Now hanging photos were not always something to be proud of.

"I'm sure that when my father came back from the battlefield he didn't feel as ashamed as they tried to make him out to be," Reid told the BBC, "As a boy I was told that my father was a traitor and that I should be ashamed of it."

After going to war, soldiers were tried in their absence, and punishments awaited them on their return to Ireland.

Soldiers also lost their jobs, lost their rights to their pensions and were discriminated against.

The Irish government apologized last year for the behavior of its predecessors, and last Sunday a discussion on rehabilitation was launched in the Irish parliament.

Campaigners for the rehabilitation of Irish World War II soldiers have welcomed the current government's aspirations and stressed that these are historic days both for the country and for the soldiers' families.