Veteran from Glyn Ceiriog receives Churchill Fellowship

After 80 years, the men who fought finally had the opportunity to tell their stories

Telegraph

5 days ago

Telegraph

After 80 years, the men who fought finally had the opportunity to tell their stories

It was dubbed the Forgotten War. Fought in Asia and the Pacific, the Far East campaign received little press coverage, its heroic sacrifices and barbaric cruelties going largely unacknowledged. No more. Today's Royal British Legion Commemoration of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has changed that bitterly unfair legacy forever. Here, at a deeply moving ceremony attended by 33 veterans, 400 invited guests and in the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Britain remembered. And tears were shed. Eighty years is a long time to wait for recognition but by any measure it was a beautifully judged occasion, pomp and ceremony interspersed with moments of heartbreaking poignancy. The King, who earlier in the day had broadcast a message describing how those who lived and died in the Far East 'gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected', wore the Stone Field Marshal Number 4 uniform and laid a wreath. As did the Prime Minister. The Queen, who is Colonel in Chief of the Rifles laid a posy. Then, after a solemn two-minute silence followed by Reveille, the carefully choreographed programme got under way. Films from the era played on huge screens along with first-hand testimonies, including two civilian women who had been interned by the Japanese along with their parents. They were aged five and nine respectively. Without a trace of self pity they recalled hunger and blows from rifle butts for not bowing low enough to their captors. Random brutality and systematic starvation were common themes, as a generation broke their silence. And every care had been taken to do them credit. The Band of the HM Royal Marines Portsmouth played the Last Post. The Red Arrows made a flypast, there was a sweetly tuneful reprise of Vera Lynn's When They Sound the Last All Clear. When a single violinist played Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending, a shiver ran through the assembled crowd, even in the heat of the day. A history of the war was narrated by Celia Imrie in dashing turquoise tailoring. Sir Ben Okri read Burma, 1945: Sacrifice, which recounted how Commonwealth soldiers volunteered to fight in modern day Myanmar. After reading out a number of their names, he described them as 'among millions from Britain, Africa and old India, from farms and villages in ancient kingdoms'. 'It is in a stellar light that we remember their underrated sacrifice.' Later, Robert Lindsay conveyed the recollections of two Chindits, members of the British and Indian special forces unit. By way of tribute some 400 modern personnel evenly split across the army, navy and air force were on duty at the Arboretum. But for all the military brass – literally and figuratively – on display, it was the men themselves who were the undoubted stars of the show. Now aged between 96 and 105, they sat ramrod-straight, even in wheelchairs, formally dressed in suits, service medals glittering across their chests in the August sunshine. Here at this most sombre – yet paradoxically uplifting – occasion, the men who fought, the men who survived finally had an opportunity to tell their stories, 80 years on. It did not always make for easy listening. Death came from the air, the sea and land, frenzied attacks from an enemy ready – happy – to die for their country and so would fight to the death. But the Far East was as much an endurance trial as a battleground. In the gruelling 35-degree heat with near 100 per cent humidity, malaria, dysentery, cholera and dengue fever were very often a greater threat than bullets. The dangers presented by snakes, disease-carrying mosquitoes and armies of biting ants had to be overcome long before Japanese bayonets. And then, having somehow survived disease-ridden jungles and swamp ambushes, they were crestfallen by the lack of official fanfare when they came home. A euphoric Britain had brought out the bunting and danced in the streets to celebrate Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945, yet the Victory in Japan, five weeks later on August 15, passed by virtually unmarked. The dropping of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought about a Japanese surrender, but tens of thousands of civilians died instantly – with more succumbing to burns and radiation in the days and weeks that followed. There was a feeling of disquiet about laying on VE-style celebrations – and a lack of imagination as to an appropriate alternative. As a result, the courage and resilience of some 1.8 million British and Commonwealth troops who had faced atrocious combat conditions, barely registered. And then, as the injured, broken prisoners of war slowly returned home and word trickled out of the appalling, gratuitous torture dispensed by the Japanese, the Ministry of Defence deemed it a narrative too shocking to be shared. Returning heroes were explicitly ordered on no account to talk about the torment they had endured and the trauma they had witnessed, lest they affect morale. Forgetting was deemed preferable. Never again. As these dignified veterans took to the stage and their voices rang out, it was nothing short of humbling. More than that, it was a reproach, to those who silenced them. Ronald Gumbley, 101, who served with the RAF read from Binyan's poem For the Fallen. 'They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old / Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn / At the going down of the sun and in the morning / We will remember them.' Owen Filer, 105, who was called up to join the army just four months after the start of WWII, recited the Kohima Epitaph: 'When you go home tell them of us and say / For your tomorrow we face our today'. Applause broke out when 105-year-old Yavar Abbas, who was due to read from his diaries, decided, in his own words, to 'go off script to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen despite the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.' Mr Abbas disclosed it was an illness that he shared with the monarch, adding: 'And if it provides any comfort… I've been rid of it for the past 25 years and counting.' But throughout the ceremony tears were never far. How could there not be? Some 90,000 British troops were casualties of the war, 30,000 of whom perished. A further 37,500 became prisoners of war and found themselves subjected to inhuman privation and savagery. More than 12,000 lost their lives; the death rate in Japanese camps was between seven and eight times higher than in their Nazi equivalents. Veteran John Harlow, 100, whose tribute was read out by actor Anton Lesser, could be seen breaking down in the stands. 'War doesn't grant you the luxury of goodbyes,' Lesser quoted, going on to describe how Harlow, who served on a minelaying submarine, thinks of a friend each VJ Day who was killed on HMS Porpoise. 'I wish today for us to remember all the crew of HMS Porpoise, Mark, and all lost at sea,' was Harlow's wish. 'For in remembering, they live on.' Later George Durrant, 100, who served in the intelligence corps, appeared on stage with his great-granddaughter as he urged people to remember – and keep remembering what the British and Commonwealth forces endured. 'I speak to you not as a hero, but someone who witnessed the price of freedom,' he said. Shortly after, the event concluded with a flypast by historic World War Two-era aircraft; a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Lancaster bomber. The throng below watched in awe and as the veterans were slowly wheeled away it was hard not to feel a sense of melancholy. In 2015, 3,000 veterans took part in a parade to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day. A decade on, the number had dwindled to 33. How many of these men will be alive for the next milestone commemoration of 90 years? Perhaps none.

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

North Wales Chronicle

5 days ago

North Wales Chronicle

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Charles also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' on its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. 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. 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 — 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.' 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… — 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. 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) — 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. 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.' The Prince and Princess of Wales also reflected on the 'enduring debt' owed to those who fought. In a message posted on social media, signed 'W & C', they said: 'Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific. 'We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget.'

South Wales Guardian

5 days ago

South Wales Guardian

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Charles also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' on its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. 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. 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 — 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.' 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… — 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. 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) — 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. 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.' The Prince and Princess of Wales also reflected on the 'enduring debt' owed to those who fought. In a message posted on social media, signed 'W & C', they said: 'Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific. 'We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget.'

Veteran from Glyn Ceiriog receives Churchill Fellowship

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After 80 years, the men who fought finally had the opportunity to tell their stories

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Veteran from Glyn Ceiriog receives Churchill Fellowship

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After 80 years, the men who fought finally had the opportunity to tell their stories

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

King hails heroes' courage on VJ Day and reflects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

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