Public invited to VE Day 80 fly-past and procession – exact timing and locations
The King and Queen will join Second World War veterans to watch a Bank Holiday procession and fly-past featuring the Red Arrows to mark 80 years since VE Day.
The public are being invited to line the Mall for the May 5 event, which will see over 1,300 people including Armed Forces members marching to Buckingham Palace from Parliament Square. Big Ben striking midday will mark the beginning, with extracts from Winston Churchill's VE Day speech recited by an actor. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will then be passed a Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace by a young person.
The King and Queen are set to join World War Two veterans, as well as PM Keir Starmer, to watch proceedings from a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial. Other Royals will watch too, including Prince William and Kate.
On the same day, the King and Queen will host a tea party at Buckingham Palace for veterans and members of the Second World War generation. Mr Kennett, who travelled to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year, said: 'It is a huge honour to be part of the military procession to start the VE80 commemorations.
"I remember Battle of Britain pilot Johnnie Johnson bursting in and shouting 'the war is over'. A big party soon followed, filled with lots of drinking and celebrating the news. The 80th anniversary of VE Day brings back so many memories, and it will be such a privilege to be there with everyone.'
The torch to be handed to Mr Kennett is said by the government to be 'an enduring symbol, honouring the contributions made by individuals' – acting 'as a baton to pass and share stories to future generations'. Thousands of members of the public are expected to view the military procession along the Mall.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will lead the procession. A group featuring members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force will follow. And cadets from all three services, as well as other uniformed youth groups, will take part.
The procession will go from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall before finishing at Buckingham Palace. The fly-past will feature a Voyager transport aircraft, a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, as well as Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets.
Second World War-era aircraft will also take part and the flypast is said to be culminating 'with the iconic red, white, and blue smoke of the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows'. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'VE Day 80 is a chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations.
'Whether by watching on TV or having a street party with neighbours, everyone can take part. This is one of the last chances we have to say thank you to this generation of heroes and it is right that we do just that.'
Defence Secretary John Healey added: 'As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, I look forward to joining our veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel and young people to remember the remarkable generation who defended the freedoms we enjoy today. Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.'
And Director General of the Royal British Legion Mark Atkinson said: 'The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations. It's important we remember those who went to war, who fought for the freedom of not just Europe but everywhere, and those who risked their lives and never made it back.'
On May 8, which will be 80 years to the day since the end of World War Two in Europe, a service will take place at Westminster Abbey. A concert will be held in the evening on Horse Guards Parade – with stars telling the story of the end of the war. On May 6, the Queen will visit the Tower of London to view a new display of ceramic poppies.
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STV News
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King vows sacrifices made by VJ Day heroes 'shall never be forgotten'
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Incredible stories of the last heroes of The Forgotten Army as Britain falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
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World War Two veterans come together to mark the 80th anniversary of their victory 'We lost six men' 'It was a hard life, but we were young, we were fit. Well, we weren't as fit when we came back.' After the war, father-of-five Sid worked for the GPO, and it is only in recent years that VJ Day became important. He says: 'It brought back memories of my time in India and Burma, some good and some not so good. The hardest thing I ever did was to tell his wife that he had been killed. I think of him every day Charlie Richards 'VJ Day and the events around the country are important to remind others of what we went through.' Father-of-two Charlie Richards from Kettering, Northants, served with the 7th Leicester Regiment. He was selected to join the Chindits and took part in Operation Thursday in March 1944. He says: 'Death was an everyday occurrence. It made you wonder if it would be your shoulder that death would be tapping on next.' Charlie lost his best friend 'Son' Johnson. He says: 'One minute he was there, the next he was gone. 'The hardest thing I ever did was tell his wife that he had been killed. I think of him every day.' JOSEPH HAMMOND, 100, from Ghana, was one of 100,000 Africans who fought for the British Army against the Japanese. 13 His testimony will be broadcast during the national commemoration. Joseph and his battalion of Gurkhas managed to stop the Japanese from crossing the Irrawaddy River. Sometimes we were short of food for about three to four days until a parachute would drop the food and ammunition for us Joseph Hammond He says: 'We followed them south. It was terrible because the Japanese were the most ferocious fighters I have ever seen.' 'We crossed the river at Maubin and lost six men there. When somebody is killed, sometimes you see that person floating on the water — the very water that we drink. 'Sometimes we were short of food for about three to four days until a parachute would drop the food and ammunition for us.' By his own admission, KEN KNOWLES, 100, was a terrible infantryman. A rugby league injury meant he could not hold a rifle properly, and when he threw a grenade his own side had to duck for cover. But the Army realised he was a problem solver. Ken, from Lancaster, served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was the man who worked out how to drop the correct supplies to Allied troops deep in the jungles of India and Burma. Until Ken had his brainwave of packing every consignment with a mixture of food, ammo, medicines and clothing — all useful to the men on the ground — soldiers fighting in the jungle and desperate for food would receive crates of useless items such as shoes or maps and notebooks. Today he will attend a VJ Day ceremony in Preston. 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Royal Marine JOHN ESKDALE, 100, came within minutes of death when his ship HMS Charybdis was torpedoed and sunk. 13 Later, John, from Cardiff, served in the Far East, and when the end of the war was announced he went to Japan to photograph the aftermath of the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Royal Navy Stoker ALFRED CONWAY, 100, was on HMS Wager, sister ship to HMS Whelp, which Prince Philip served on as First Lieutenant. 13 Alongside Philip, Alfred, of Skegness, Lincs, sailed to the Far East and served in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 1945, Alfred was present when Japan surrendered in Tokyo Bay. YAVAR ABBAS, 105, of the 11th Sikh Regiment, was a combat cameraman. He documented the brutality of war, from the aftermath of Kohima where 7,000 Japanese were killed. 13 He also filmed in Hiroshima after the A-bomb dropped. Yavar, from London, says: 'A Gurkha soldier was shot next to me, dying right there. It could have been me. 'War is the real crime. If there is no war, there'll be no war crimes.' JOHN HARLOW, 100, from Exeter, served as a telegraphist on the submarine HMS Rorqual, which laid a total of 1,214 mines and was the only mine-laying sub to survive World War Two. 13 While on shore leave, John got married on August 11, 1945, and four days later he was on his honeymoon in Northumberland on VJ Day. He says: 'People didn't celebrate VJ Day that much because it was some 8,000 miles away. I don't remember so many street parties or anything like that. 'At least we knew that on VJ Day the whole war was finally over. I am going to the national commemoration because to me that's closure. 'I'll still remember my friends, but it will be the last celebration as such. There won't be any more. 'There won't be any of us left in about five years. So it will be the final time.' 13 The King's echo of George VI By Matt Wilkinson THE King will issue a six-minute message of support to mark VJ80. 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In a message of peace coming on the same day Trump faces Putin to end Ukrainian bloodshed, the King will also say: '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.' The televised service at the memorial in Staffordshire will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific region, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who fought in pivotal battles including Kohima and Imphal in India. The event, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Government, will see the King and Queen leave floral tributes, as will other senior figures. A national two-minute silence will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows. The service will draw to a close with a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, before the King and Queen attend a reception with Second World War veterans.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
VJ Day 80: Remembering the brothers who died as Prisoners of War
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, historian Geoff Pugh has tracked down the graves of every person called Pugh who died in WW2 and WW1 including two brothers who were Japanese Prisoner of War. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day the extraordinary bravery of two brothers who died as Japanese Prisoners of War is being remembered. Cuthbert Pugh and big brother Edward Pugh are buried in Myanmar. They are just two of the Pughs found by a man - called Geoff Pugh - who has tracked down every single 'Pugh' killed in both World War Two and World War One. He admitted the mammoth task became an 'obsession'. But on the eve of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day Geoff has now successfully tracked them all down. Not only has he found all 127 Pughs who died in WW2, he's found all 278 who died in World War One as well. He visited the Far East to pay his respects at the graves of two brothers held as Japanese Prisoners of War. Cuthbert and Edward are buried 5000 miles away in the same cemetery in Myanmar. They were from different regiments and died in different years. Geoff said: "It has become a bit of an obsession but I just wanted to pay my respects to all these men and women and make sure they will never be forgotten. Some of their stories are incredible." He said: "How do you select any individual from a list of 127 names, when every life is precious? However, two others that stand out for me are Cuthbert Martin Parkhurst and Edward Baldwyn, brothers who served in two different Regiments – The Royal Norfolk Regiment, and The Royal Engineers. "They both became Prisoners of War held by the Japanese and died within seven months of each other and are buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. I don't know if they were held in the same prison camp, but this is doubtful. I visited this place in March 2019." Cuthbert died on July 12, 1943, aged 30. He was with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment. Edward died on December 10, 1942, aged 34. He was with 251 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers. Geoff added: "With the VE Day anniversary earlier this year I managed to find out that there were ten Pughs who died between March 1, 1945, and May 8, 1945. "The name of the Pugh who died nearest to VE Day was George Sydney Pugh. He was born on March 29, 1914, and died on May 1, 1945, just seven days before VE Day. He is buried at Kiel War Cemetery in Germany, and he served in 23rd Hussars Royal Armoured Corps. Geoff has dug deeper into George's story and found he'd survived the Normandy landings. His regiment then went on to help liberate Belsen. Geoff said: "He was one of four casualties who was killed on May 1, 1945. The others were Serjeant Christopher Patrick, Corporal George Edward Hoggart and Lance Corporal Benjamin Taylor. "They all served in the 23rd Hussars Royal Armoured Corps which was a Tank Regiment originally equipped with Shermans and Comet Tanks. They arrived in Normandy a week after D-Day and travelled to the Baltic area until the German surrender on May 8, a week after these soldiers were killed in action. Records show that the bodies were exhumed from their original burial site and re-buried in Kiel British Cemetery on December 10, 1947." Geoff added poignantly: "It was the 23rd who helped to liberate Bergen- Belsen Concentration Camp. It's such a tragedy they died so close to the end of the war in Europe and weren't able to celebrate victory.'" Geoff, 77, from Maldon, Essex, is a retired timber trader and a volunteer with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Geoff's dad reached the rank of major and met and fell in love with his mother after meeting her near Lille at the end of World War Two. They moved back to England after the war and he left the army despite being offered the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He and wife Esther, who is from Switzerland, have two daughters and four grandchildren and have travelled to various countries to see numerous Pugh graves and pay their respects. Incredibly Geoff's maternal grandfather actually died fighting in WW1. He said: "We always stop at his grave when we drive down to Switzerland. He's buried on the Marne - but obviously he's not a 'Pugh'." As part of his extensive research Geoff has discovered so many poignant stories from all over the world including Libya, Iraq and Egypt. He said: "There were sailors, soldiers and airmen. Each of them sacrificed so much. A few of them 'stick out' - there was one guy who had been fighting at the front in Europe and had returned home to Liverpool on leave. He had a one year old son. The family were at home when it was hit by a German bomb and they died." He found two women who had died and both the youngest and the oldest victims. He said: 'There were two women - Dora Cecilia Pugh who was just 20 when she died. She was in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and her cause of death remains unknown. The other was Rosemary Edith Pugh. She was 21 and with the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She died as a result of Lysol poisoning. Was her death a suicide? We will probably never know. "The youngest was Henry Francis Pugh. He was either 15 or 16 years old. He was a boy cook on SS 'Roumanie' a Belgian cargo ship which was sunk by German Submarine U-617 380 miles South West of Iceland in 1942. The oldest was Alfred Frederick Pugh. He was 59 and served in Essential Services Corps, South Africa." On his WW1 research he found there are 32 Pughs named on the famous Thiepval Memorial and 11 on the nearby Arras memorial. "That indicates they have no known grave,' explained Geoff. Claire Horton CBE, Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said: "We warmly congratulate Geoff on his extraordinary research and dedication in honouring the memory of those who served and died during the World Wars. His work is a powerful reminder of the human stories behind every name we commemorate. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is proud to care for the graves and memorials of more than 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, and we also commemorate civilians in the Civilian Roll of Honour at Westminster Abbey. "We are proud to have a team of leading researchers and historians, whose work helps ensure that these stories are preserved and shared. Stories like Geoff's are exactly why our work matters - and why, through our For Evermore digital app, we are encouraging members of the public to share family histories and personal connections to those we commemorate, ensuring these memories live on for generations to come. We thank Geoff for helping to keep their stories alive." Geoff added: "It's so important that, as we approach the 80th anniversary of VJ Day we remember the Pugh brothers and all the other brave men and women who died. We owe them a great debt."
