Police attend ceremony to mark end of Second World War
He met with a group of local people who helped support the event, coming together to remember the sacrifices made by so many during the conflict.
The flag was raised in a short, respectful ceremony, serving as a reminder of the importance of honouring those who served and those who lost their lives.
The day is a time to remember those who served in the Far East campaign and the many who lost their lives before peace was finally declared in August 1945. It also honours the civilians who endured hardship at home and abroad.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pembrokeshire town's special services to mark VJ Day anniversary
Tenby joined the nation in marking Victory over Japan (VJ) Day yesterday (Friday August 15) to honour the end of World War Two and remember those who served in the Far East campaign. Commemorative events in the town began at 11am with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tenby war memorial, with town mayor Cllr Dai Morgan amongst the many representative of local groups and organisations paying tribute. VJ Day marks 15 August 1945, the day Japan surrendered and brought World War Two to a close. Tenby Royal British Legionchairman Shane Roberts lays a wreath, watched by the mayor of Tenby. Cllr Dai Morgan. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Piper Graham Phillips played during the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) A large and respectful gathering stood in Tenby's South Parade for the wreath-laying, remembering the sacrifices of thousands of servicemen and women, including those who faced extreme conditions as prisoners of war or served in some of the most challenging theatres of war. Town Crier Erin Morgan proclaimed the start of the war memorial service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) One local resident who served in the Far East is 99-year-old Duncan Hilling of Saundersfoot, who has just been honoured by Wales First Minister, Eluned Morgan. Read more Pembrokeshire war veteran, 99, personally thanked by First Minister Mr Hilling is the senior member of Tenby Male Choir, whose proud fellow choristers said they saluted his service. Dyfed-Powys Police was amongst the organisations represented at the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The ceremony at the war memorial was followed at midday by a special service of commemoration in St Mary's Church, Tenby conducted by the Rev Steven Brett. Youth organisations joined in the Tenby tribute. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The chairman of the Tenby branch of the Royal British Legion, Shane Roberts, then led a presentation celebrating the lives of veterans and loved ones connected to the conflict, as well as local organisations affiliated to the Royal British Legion. The mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan, lays a wreath on behalf of the town. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The beautiful floral cross in the Tenby war memorial grounds. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Members of Tenby Town Council joined in the service. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) VJ Day 80 marks the end of World War Two in 1945. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) The mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan said: "VJ Day allows us to pay tribute to those whose service and sacrifice in the Far East are too often overlooked. "These commemorations are a chance for our community to come together, to remember, and to ensure that their legacy lives on." Tenby Town Council also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Tenby Branch of the Royal British Legion, who continue to ensure the stories of these veterans are remembered and respected.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Warning over 'serious aquatic invader' posing a major threat in Aussie state
Aussies have been urged to do their part and be on the lookout for an invasive weed that 'poses a major threat' to the country's waterways and native ecosystems. Water lettuce — a free-floating plant that grows and spreads rapidly — is a 'serious aquatic invader', Biosecurity Queensland warned this week. While its origins are unknown, the weed can be found in various tropical countries and was introduced to Australia as an aquarium and garden pond plant. However, it has since become a significant problem in NSW and eastern Queensland, where it can be found in several areas as a result of flooding and abandonment. What is water lettuce? As its name suggests, the weed resembles a small, floating, open head of lettuce, however, despite its appearance, it's not edible. The plant features pale green fan-shaped, hairy leaves, small pale white to green flowers and egg-shaped fruit that contain seeds. Water lettuce (pistia stratiotes) prefers stationary or slow-moving streams with high nutrient concentrations. Why is water lettuce a problem? The species, which sees a spike in growth as temperatures warm up in spring, can form dense mats that cover rivers, wetlands, dams, reservoirs and irrigation canals, restricting water flow and creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes, biosecurity authorities told Yahoo News. The swathes of plants can also prevent light penetration and exchange of gasses, leading to a drop in oxygen in the water, and therefore damaging native ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Each one can generate several daughter plants, which helps its rapid spread, along with seeds and water movement. In Queensland, water lettuce is regarded as a category three restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014, and it is illegal to keep, give away or release into the environment. However, not everyone appears to be aware of that fact, prompting authorities to issue an alert online. 'Some people keep it as an ornamental and offer it for sale as a pond plant on social media,' a Department of Primary Industries spokesperson told Yahoo. 'This increases the risk of spread, particularly into other states where water lettuce is not an established invasive species.' Queensland residents who find the weed on their property are obligated to take practical steps to minimise its spread. Water lettuce is also considered to be a weed in NSW and a declared pest in WA. 🌴 Aussie council's warning over 'beautiful' garden feature smothering city suburbs 🌼 Invasive weed vanishes from tourist attraction thanks to tiny 'miracle' 🌳 Woman's 'incredible' 500-year-old discovery hidden behind invasive weed How do I remove water lettuce? The invasive weed can be removed by hand if it is found in small numbers. Herbicides are often the only practical method for larger infestations, and spraying results in a quicker death in the warmer months. For more information or advice, contact your local government. 'One of the world's worst weeds' found in Aussie city for first time Water lettuce isn't the only aquatic invader causing issues in Australia. Earlier this year, authorities in the Top End sounded the alarm after 'one of the world's worst weeds' was discovered in the region for the very first recorded time. Authorities attended a Darwin property in June after receiving a tip about a suspicious plant being offered online. There, they took samples of the plant from a contained garden pond which was later confirmed to be Amazon frogbit, an invasive weed that is also capable of choking waterways. 'The property owner was unaware they had Amazon frogbit and we are thankful a member of the public familiar with such weeds brought this to our attention,' a Department of Lands, Planning and Environment spokesperson told Yahoo News at the time. 'The owner informed us that he did not know where the frogbit had come from and stated that it had appeared in the pond around three months ago during the 2025 wet season.' While the weed is considered a pest in some local government areas in Queensland, it is not actually prohibited in the state and can even be purchased. However, south of the border it's a different story. In NSW it is illegal to buy, sell, trade or move it into the state, with on-the-spot fines as high as $2,000 for anyone caught doing so. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
As memories fade, Canadians mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War
OTTAWA — Relatives of war veterans gathered at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender and the official end of the Second World War. Sweat poured down the faces of those assembled in the August midday heat as the Canadian Armed Forces bugler performed the Last Post. Michael Babin, president of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association, said there are no living veterans remaining out of the nearly 2,000 Canadians who took part in the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941. He said the last known veteran from that fight died a little more than a year and a half ago, at the age of 106. Babin is one of many with direct ties to the war who expressed the concern on Friday that the history of that battle — and the stories of the many Canadians who fought and died there — are not being passed on to younger generations. "There are no veterans left anymore to tell their stories, so it's up to us — the children and the grandchildren — to tell their stories and to remember them," he said. "Most Canadians don't (know about this battle) because most of the action took place in Europe and that's what Canadians heard about and that's what's taught in the schools. But to send 2,000 men and two nursing sisters to Hong Kong was significant, and all of them were volunteers." Babin said that of the 1,975 Canadian volunteers who went to Hong Kong, only 1,418 returned — 290 were killed in the battle and others later died as prisoners. His own father, Alfred Babin, was released from nearly four years of captivity as a prisoner of war on Aug. 15, 1941. Mitzi Ross said her father, Lance Ross, was hit in the neck by shrapnel but survived the battle. He was captured and sent to Japan to work in a mine as a prisoner of war. "All of the men that were in these camps had to work in mines or shipyards, things like that. It was really a horrible, horrible experience. When they came back they all had PTSD but nobody knew what it was at the time," she said. "They all had hard lives after their return (to Canada)." Francois Vigneault, a retired captain who served 36 years with the Royal Canadian Air Force, said his father's cousin, Laureat Vigneault, was killed in the Battle of Hong Kong. He said his body was never recovered and, thanks to a bureaucratic error, it took his family years to learn that he had been killed in action. "For me, it's a very important battle (but) it's very unknown for Canadians," he said. Anne Okaley said her father became a PoW after the Hong Kong conflict; she's still researching what his exact role was in the battle. Okaley said she worries about people forgetting these stories as time passes — and the risk of grim history repeating itself. 'I just hope the memory carries on,' she said. 'We're not going to be here forever to carry it on, so I'm really grateful for my nephew who is going to carry the torch forward.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press