King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
His reflection on the nuclear attacks, which paved the way for the end of the Second World War, comes at a time of increased concern about the global threat of nuclear conflict.
The King recording his message at Clarence House earlier this month (Aaron Chown/PA)
In an audio message to the nation, realms and Commonwealth, the King spoke of the horrors faced by allied prisoners of war 'who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance', and the 'mental and physical scars' the war left on those who survived.
And he vowed the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes 'shall never be forgotten', telling their families and the 'sadly dwindling band of veterans': 'Please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honours our past and guides our future.'
The King, in what is believed to be the most direct reference by a British monarch to the suffering in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, said it was right to pause and acknowledge the impact of the 'war's final act' on the people of the Japanese cities.
'Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too,' he said in the broadcast released at 7.30am on Friday.
Tune in to @BBCOne on Friday as we mark 80 years since victory over Japan, the moment the Second World War finally came to an end.
We are honoured to host the national commemoration at the @Nat_Mem_Arb, and will be joined by veterans who served in the Far East.#VJDay80
1/2 pic.twitter.com/OnxIPaFGJu
— Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) August 13, 2025
'Their experience reminds us that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all-too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today.
'On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war's final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.'
He added: 'But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory.'
The then-Prince of Wales chats with a veteran after the national service of remembrance marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in 2020 (Oli Scarff/PA)
VJ Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of the end of the six-year-long war.
Much of the celebration in 1945 focused on VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May, with those who served in the Far East labelled The Forgotten Army.
The King's six-minute address was broadcast ahead of a national service of remembrance due to be attended by Charles, the Queen and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Also there as guests of honour will be 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105, who served in the Far East and Pacific.
Iconic aircraft will join the nation's tribute to veterans of the Far East campaign this Friday. ✈️
Around 400 members of the UK Armed Forces will honour their predecessors on the 80th anniversary of #VJDay, at the National Memorial Arboretum. 🫡 🇬🇧
A tri-service Guard of… pic.twitter.com/18gjQcFODp
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) August 11, 2025
A national two-minute silence will be held at noon and the Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for flypast over the commemorations.
By 1945, some 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops had been deployed across Asia and the Pacific.
More than 90,000 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, and nearly 30,000 died, while more than 12,000 Britons were among the 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese.
Of the Allied forces, the US suffered the greatest losses, with more than 100,000 killed in action.
The King and Queen will attend a service at the at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Friday (Aaron Chown/PA)
In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, more than 200,000 people were killed by the US bombs and in the months after succumbing to radiation sickness, the effects of burns and other serious injuries.
The King described the 80th anniversary as a day of 'profound remembrance' and said of his grandfather King George's VI's 'The war is ended' audio broadcast at the time: 'Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom's new dawn.'
He also painted a vivid picture of when 'high above those monsoon-lashed jungles, allied pilots displayed their own fearless bravery, flying fighters, bombers and transport aircraft into enemy fire and nature's fury'.
This year we mark the momentous milestone of 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
We cannot do so without honouring those who continued to fight and be held in brutal captivity in the Far East and Pacific, long after the VE Day celebrations erupted.#VJDay80
(1/10) pic.twitter.com/IV8bduJdIA
— Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) August 11, 2025
The speech made no mention of the King's father Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was in Tokyo Bay on board the destroyer HMS Whelp, a warship he served on as second-in-command, when Japanese officials formally signed the surrender on the USS Missouri on September 2 1945.
But Charles paid tribute to his mentor and great uncle Earl Mountbatten, who oversaw the defeat of the Japanese offensive towards India as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command.
He recalled how Lord Mountbatten taught him about the 'horrors and heroism' of the conflict.
Charles with his great uncle Earl Mountbatten (PA)
The King said: 'The war in South East Asia had reached its climax under the leadership of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, from whom I learned so much about the particular horrors and heroism witnessed in those furthest fields of combat.
'The forces aligned under him comprised over one million men and women, drawn from many different countries, religions and communities, but united by common purpose and indomitable spirit.'
Charles said he was aware of the 'mental and physical scars' the conflict left on those who survived.
'Twenty-Nine Victoria Crosses bear eloquent testimony to their valour, but I know full well of the toll it took on so many – measured not only in gravestones, but in the mental and physical scars of those who survived,' he said.
He also cited the collaboration across faiths and cultural divides, saying: 'Together they proved 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.
'That remains a vital lesson for our times.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
22 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
New banner and event marks VJ Day anniversary in Newtown
A VJ Day remembrance service took place at the war memorial in Newtown on Friday. After the 11am service, Newtown mayor Peter Lewington and deputy Margaret Lewington joined Ann Evans from the Newtown Local History Group in unveiling the WW2 Remembrance Banner at Platform 1 at Newtown Railway Station. The banner was created by a group of volunteers led by Ezma, the director of the Menshed at Platform 1. The completed banner will then be on display in the 80th WW2 Commemoration event on Tuesday, September 2 at the Monty Club. The entertainment will include Newtown Silver Band and the Castle Belles Choir who will sing 1940s songs. Limited tickets are still available from Newtown Monty Club. Newtown contributed to victory over Japan with the first prisoner of war to return from captivity being Cpl Lloyd Hughes in 1945. Mr Hughes was the son of Mr and Mrs Severn Hughes and had been a POW since the fall of Singapore in February 1941 having served in the Far East since 1936. Over the the next four years the Newtown mad endured a living hell and dropped to just six stone in weight but recovered upon his release and eventually returned home.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots Victoria Cross hero who was last living WW2 recipient dies aged 105
John Cruickshank, who downed a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944, has passed away. A Scottish war hero has died at the age of 105. John Cruickshank was the last surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross award from World War Two. The flight lieutenant, from Aberdeen, had earned the honour for his attack on a German U-Boat, downing the enemy submarine in June 1944 despite having suffered significant injuries. He sustained 72 injuries, including wound to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs, after spotting the sub ahead and going on the attack in the face of heavy gunfire. However, their bombs did not release, forcing Flt Lt Cruickshank to turn the aircraft around and attack again. On that occasion, he released the bombs himself, successfully destroying the submarine. Navigator John Dickson was killed while his co-pilot and two others members of the crew were seriously injured. Flt Lt Cruickshank refused medical attention after the attack and flew the aircraft back to its base at Sullom Voe in Shetland. He never returned to operational flying and left the RAF in 1946 for a career in banking. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest recognition for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Flt Lt Cruickshank was praised for setting an example of "determination, fortitude and devotion to duty" when the honour was bestowed on him by King George VI. He rarely talked about his experiences, saying in 2008: "You don't get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty." In 2013, he was given the opportunity to fly in an aircraft similar to the one he piloted during the war. Last year, a Catalina flying boat was flown over Flt Lt Cruickshank's home in Aberdeen to mark his 104th birthday. The BBC reports Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank's family said he died last week and a funeral would be held in private. The veteran's heroics took place on June 17, 1944, while protecting British vessels in the Norwegian Sea. He was the last to die of 181 people who received the country's highest military honour for their actions in the conflict, which ran from 1939 to 1945. The Telegraph reports he was born on May 20, 1920, in Aberdeen and was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and at Daniel Stewart's College in Edinburgh. He joined the Commercial Bank of Scotland and in April 1939 he enlisted as a gunner in the Territorial Army. He was mobilised when war broke out and joined the 129th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. In January 1941 he transferred to the Royal Air Force to train as a pilot. Following courses in Canada and the USA he was commissioned in the RAFVR and in March 1943 he joined No 210. In July he sighted and attacked a U-boat without result and in September spotted a boatload of 11 survivors in the Bay of Biscay and directed two warships to their rescue. After recovering from his wounds Cruickshank served at Headquarters, Coastal Command. He was released from the RAF and served for two years as ADC to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He returned to banking and in 1952 joined Grindlay's Bank with whom he established a reputation in the international field in Asia and Africa. He returned from South Africa to Scotland in 1977 to be the Administrator, Northern Division, North-West Securities until he finally retired in 1985.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Our house split in two' says Clydebank Blitz survivor
Margaret McDougall was only two years old when she was living in the town during World War Two. The Clydebank Blitz was a devastating two-night Luftwaffe bombing raid on the ship-building town on March 13 and 14, 1941. The attack resulted in significant damage to the town and its industrial infrastructure, as well as heavy casualties. Speaking to the Glasgow Times, the 86-year-old told us of the awful night when a bomb came down on top of her home. She said: "We didn't go to a shelter; there were shelters you could go to, but my father was the kind of person who would say, 'I'm not going'. "So we just stayed in the house; however, an incendiary came down and the house split in two, it collapsed, and we fell down. "My father was holding me, and my mother was holding my sister, who had just been born in the previous December; this was in March. The way she was holding her at the most awful time in her life, she let go of her. "We had to be rescued from the rubble." Margaret McDougall, 86, was a toddler during the Clydebank Blitz. (Image: Newsquest) One of the items on display at the new museum in Clydebank Library is a collection of Singer's sewing machines, which Margaret finds delightful, given that she sewed her own wedding dress with one. Margaret on her wedding day, in the dress she sewed for her and her sister using a Singer sewing machine. (Image: Newsquest) Opening of Clydebank Museum. (Image: Newsquest) The Clydebank Museum was officially opened on Friday, August 15, the anniversary of VJ Day, by local councillors. Sam Gibson, 83, was also very young during the Blitz, and says most stories he knows have been passed down from his family. He said: "I remember being in the house and getting carried out when there was an air raid going on. "My mother used to hang a bag in the hall with all the papers, insurance and all the important documents. The bag was the first thing that was taken, and then it was me and my three sisters. "I remember being in the shelter and a warden or somebody was coming, and I thought he was a German and I was saying, 'they are coming.'" Sam Gibson, 83, was very young at the time of the Clydebank Blitz. (Image: Newsquest) William Henderson, interim team leader of West Dunbartonshire Arts and Heritage. (Image: Newsquest) William Henderson, interim team leader of West Dunbartonshire Arts and Heritage, says the new museum can give residents pride in their town. He said: "There has never been a fixed exhibition that tells the story of Clydebank in one place. So the intention with this is to give an overview of the town and its very rich history and heritage. "People need to know about this to have a sense of place and to feel that pride that they should have in the heritage of the area. "It was a hugely skilled and productive area. World-leading, world-renowned and people need to be reminded of that. I think the museum display certainly does that, and it's a celebration." Councillor William Rooney, convener of Corporate Services, said: 'We're proud to officially open Clydebank Museum, and it is all the more poignant that we are also marking the anniversary of VJ Day, which signalled the end of World War II, today. 'The Clydebank Blitz has shaped this town, and the museum provides a fantastic opportunity and insight into the strength and spirit of its people in the aftermath, so it's fitting that we are marking both occasions today. 'This is an absolutely fantastic space which has something of interest for everyone — whether you're looking to trace your family history, explore the town's industrial roots, or simply enjoy learning more about the place we call home. It's an important part of how we preserve our shared story for future generations.'
