VJ Day 80th anniversary: King Charles says heroes will ‘never be forgotten'
An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died fighting in Japan, including upwards of 12,000 prisoners of war held in Japanese captivity.
Explore: More on VJ DayEx-prisoner of war recalls 'torpedo after torpedo'Historic aircraft to take part in VJ Day flypast
The King's message is expected to echo, and reflect on, the audio broadcast made by his grandfather, King George VI, 80 years ago, when he announced to the nation and Commonwealth that the war was over.He will make reference to the experience endured by Prisoners of War, and to the civilians of occupied lands in the region, whose suffering "reminds us that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life".
The King will describe how those who fought in the war "gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected", since victory was made possible by close collaboration between nations, "across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides".This demonstrated that, "in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear but the arms you link", he will say.
Two-minute silence
At Friday's service, a national two-minute silence will conclude with a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows.It will be followed by a reception in which the King and Queen will meet veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War, along with their families.VJ Day falls more than three months after VE Day, when fighting stopped in Europe following Germany's surrender.Events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day will conclude with a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the Autumn.
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