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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
King Charles and Queen Camilla in tears during emotional VJ Day celebrations
The King and Queen Camilla joined 33 veterans who fearlessly served in the Far East and Pacific at an emotional national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday The King and Queen were moved to tears by the powerful first-hand testimony of VJ veterans as they spoke at a service of remembrance this afternoon, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. The sun shone down on the incredibly moving ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which paid tribute to those who fought and died during the War in the Far East and Pacific. It included two Fly Pasts, a two-minute silence, musical interludes and testimony from survivors of the so-called Forgotten War. But it was Captain Yavar Abbas, from the 11th Sikh Regiment, who stole the show as he went off script to pay tribute to the King for attending today and drawing attention to the veterans who have so often felt overlooked. He paused to salute the King and Queen and thanked them for honouring the 'forgotten Army'. It comes after Prince Harry's devastating loss in royal rift was exposed as Meghan 'holds the cards'. 'Apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King,' Mr Abbas said. 'Who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he is undergoing treatment for cancer. The veteran continued: 'I salute him for attending this occasion. By his presence here he has gone a long way to make sure that his Grandad's 14th army is never given the sobriquet of the forgotten army.' His comments were met with applause from the guests, while Camilla's eyes were red from crying. As he returned to the Royal Box, Mr Abbas saluted the King once more, who stood to chat to the veteran, clasping his hands. They spoke for almost a minute before saluting each other and returning to their seats. When they were reunited at a reception for veterans later that afternoon, they greeted each other like old friends. Shortly before noon, the arrival of a Guard of Honour marked the start of the ceremony, followed by a drum laying ceremony while The Bands of the Royal Marines Portsmouth played Elgar's Nimrod. The National Anthem signalled the arrival of the King, wearing the stone Field Marshall Number 4 uniform, and the Queen, who inspected the Guard of Honour before laying wreaths at the foot of the memorial steps. The Prime Minister, Admiral Sir Antony Radakin and Vice Admiral Paul Bennett also laid wreaths before making their way to their seats in the Royal Box to join the 33 VJ veterans and their families. Sheltered from the heat by a canopy, they had a direct view of the hour-long service, paying tribute to those who continued to fight for three long months after victory had been declared in Europe. For decades, veterans family members of those who died have been campaigning for the VJ heroes to be given the same recognition as those who fought the Nazis in Europe. The hour-long service then got underway, which saw the jets of the Red Arrows leave a trail of red, white and blue in the skies above and was hosted by actress Celia Imrie. The 1,500 guests stood to observe the national two-minute's silence, many removing their hats and bowing their heads as they reflected on those who fought and died during the War in the Far East and Pacific. The only sound that could be heard was that of pigeons ruffling in the trees above. This included the heartbreaking testimony of prisoners of war, who recalled the horrors they endured at the hands of the Japanese Ghani concluded his testimony by saying: 'Never walk with anger, let calmness lead the way.' As John Harlow's testimony was read by actor Anton Lesser, the camera showed the veteran, sitting next to the Queen, holding back tears as he listened to his story. The King appeared to wipe away a tear. Towards the end of the service, celebrated violinist Jennifer Pike MBE performed The Lark Ascending at the top of the memorial, dancers performed at the bottom, waving white doves on long flag poles. The roar of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight drew the service to a close. Charles then headed to view the memorials, including the Burma Star Memoirla and the Chanid Memoiral, before reuniting with his wife at a reception for VJ veterans and their families. They spent almost an hour moving from table to table separately and chatting with the veterans who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories and their families. On the first table, the King cracked jokes and said he was concerned for those who had to sit in direct sunlight during the service. Speaking to the family of 100-year-old RAF veteran Trevor Taylor, the King asked: 'Have you had to come from a long way away? Bradford? I hope you're not driving as somebody cannot have a drink.' He then asked if they were ok after sitting in the midday sun, 'I was very worried about you all sitting out, it was incredibly hot in the sun. You couldn't put an umbrella up?' Mr Taylor then enquired after the Queen, but the King pointed her out at a nearby table and said: 'She's here, she's there. 'You'll have to send her my love,' he said, to which the King responded: 'I will.' Charles was handed a couple of tea when he arrived on the third table, where he asked if Royal Marine veteran John Eskdale, 100, had ever encountered his great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. As Supreme Allied Commander in South East Asia, he oversaw the recapture of Burma from the Japanese. The King asked: 'And you didn't come across my Great uncle lord mountbatten? I've heard a lot of stories about him.' Meanwhile, the Queen was discussing the service with Edwin Habberley and said, 'I found it so incredibly moving.' The monarch was then reunited with Mr Abbas, who served as a combat camerman, and they stood clasping hands for 40 seconds before taking their seats. The King told him: 'I can just remember by grandfather, but only just. I was told all the stories about Burma by my great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. I learned a great deal from him.' Speaking afterwards, Mr Abbas said: 'Today, I make no apology for going off the script. If it upset their schedule, no I don't think it affected their schedule, I think it improved their schedule.' Asked why it was important for him to say what he did, he said: 'I admire the man, I admire the King, he has similar views about things that I have, about the environment for example. He's human.' I admire him for the man that he is. When I went up to him and spoke to him, he said something very touching to me. He said 'I am very grateful to you, I admire you for what you said. Thank you very much. He said to me: 'I almost cried.' And that's our King, he's a great King.' Charles's most poignant words came when chatting to Charlie Richards, 104, one of the last surviving Chindits, a unit that fought deep behind enemy lines in Burma between autumn 1942 and summer 1943. 'The things you did, I could never get over,' the monarch told him. 'We owe you all such a huge debt of gratitude.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Queen emotional as veteran goes ‘off script' to honour King's cancer battle
Charles and Camilla joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105 who served in the Far East and Pacific at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the six-year war, but 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. Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, took to the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, but took a moment to pay tribute to his 'brave king' first. Camilla looked at her husband sitting next to her and appeared to wipe away a tear as Mr Abbas, 105, originally from Lucknow in India, said: 'I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.' Applause rang out among the crowd of around 1,500 guests as Mr Abbas said he had also battled cancer, adding that he hoped it would bring 'comfort' that he had been rid of the disease himself for 25 years. He added: 'I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad's 14th Army is never given the sobriquet again of The Forgotten Army.' The ceremony was hosted by actress Celia Imrie and featured readings by actor Robert Lindsay and veterans, as well as musical performances from the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, Jennifer Pike and the Royal Corps of Signals Pipes and Drums. Ahead of the service, the King, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed that the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns 'shall never be forgotten'. He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' paid by its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. He said: '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.' After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army. He viewed tributes at the Burma Railway memorial, which is constructed from 30 metres of original track from the so-called 'Railway of Death', and took a moment of reflection at the Burma Star Memorial and the Chindit Memorial, before heading to a reception for VJ veterans and their families. The King and Queen were joined by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, as they met some 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers. A dinner reception was held after the service at which The King, the Queen, and the Prime Minister chatted at length with several of the Far East veterans, including Mr Abbas. Speaking after the reception, the 105-year-old veteran, a retired write and TV producer, told reporters: 'I make no apology for going off the script. 'I admire the man… I admire The King. He has similar views about things as I have, about the environment for example. 'He's human. When I went up to him and talked to him, he said something very touching to me. He said to me when you said that I almost cried. That's our King and he's a great King.' Intelligence Corps veteran George Durrant, aged 100 and from West Sussex, addressed the service alongside his great-granddaughter Elsbeth. He enlisted as a private in 1942 and trained to be a tank driver, before volunteering for a special mission which turned out to be serving in Burma. In his reading to the commemoration, Mr Durrant said people always talked about how brave the veterans were, but added that few of them saw it that way. He told the service: 'We must look to the future and ensure that the next generation remember our sacrifices so that they can strive for a more peaceful tomorrow.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Queen emotional as veteran goes ‘off script' to honour King's cancer battle
Charles and Camilla joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105 who served in the Far East and Pacific at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the six-year war, but 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. Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, took to the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, but took a moment to pay tribute to his 'brave king' first. Camilla looked at her husband sitting next to her and appeared to wipe away a tear as Mr Abbas, 105, originally from Lucknow in India, said: 'I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.' Applause rang out among the crowd of around 1,500 guests as Mr Abbas said he had also battled cancer, adding that he hoped it would bring 'comfort' that he had been rid of the disease himself for 25 years. He added: 'I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad's 14th Army is never given the sobriquet again of The Forgotten Army.' The ceremony was hosted by actress Celia Imrie and featured readings by actor Robert Lindsay and veterans, as well as musical performances from the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, Jennifer Pike and the Royal Corps of Signals Pipes and Drums. Ahead of the service, the King, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed that the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns 'shall never be forgotten'. He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' paid by its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. He said: '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.' After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army. He viewed tributes at the Burma Railway memorial, which is constructed from 30 metres of original track from the so-called 'Railway of Death', and took a moment of reflection at the Burma Star Memorial and the Chindit Memorial, before heading to a reception for VJ veterans and their families. The King and Queen were joined by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, as they met some 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers. A dinner reception was held after the service at which The King, the Queen, and the Prime Minister chatted at length with several of the Far East veterans, including Mr Abbas. Speaking after the reception, the 105-year-old veteran, a retired write and TV producer, told reporters: 'I make no apology for going off the script. 'I admire the man… I admire The King. He has similar views about things as I have, about the environment for example. 'He's human. When I went up to him and talked to him, he said something very touching to me. He said to me when you said that I almost cried. That's our King and he's a great King.' Intelligence Corps veteran George Durrant, aged 100 and from West Sussex, addressed the service alongside his great-granddaughter Elsbeth. He enlisted as a private in 1942 and trained to be a tank driver, before volunteering for a special mission which turned out to be serving in Burma. In his reading to the commemoration, Mr Durrant said people always talked about how brave the veterans were, but added that few of them saw it that way. He told the service: 'We must look to the future and ensure that the next generation remember our sacrifices so that they can strive for a more peaceful tomorrow.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Queen emotional as veteran goes ‘off script' to honour King's cancer battle
Charles and Camilla joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105 who served in the Far East and Pacific at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the six-year war, but 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. Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, took to the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, but took a moment to pay tribute to his 'brave king' first. Camilla looked at her husband sitting next to her and appeared to wipe away a tear as Mr Abbas, 105, originally from Lucknow in India, said: 'I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.' Applause rang out among the crowd of around 1,500 guests as Mr Abbas said he had also battled cancer, adding that he hoped it would bring 'comfort' that he had been rid of the disease himself for 25 years. He added: 'I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad's 14th Army is never given the sobriquet again of The Forgotten Army.' The ceremony was hosted by actress Celia Imrie and featured readings by actor Robert Lindsay and veterans, as well as musical performances from the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, Jennifer Pike and the Royal Corps of Signals Pipes and Drums. Ahead of the service, the King, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed that the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns 'shall never be forgotten'. He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' paid by its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. He said: '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.' After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army. He viewed tributes at the Burma Railway memorial, which is constructed from 30 metres of original track from the so-called 'Railway of Death', and took a moment of reflection at the Burma Star Memorial and the Chindit Memorial, before heading to a reception for VJ veterans and their families. The King and Queen were joined by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, as they met some 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers. A dinner reception was held after the service at which The King, the Queen, and the Prime Minister chatted at length with several of the Far East veterans, including Mr Abbas. Speaking after the reception, the 105-year-old veteran, a retired write and TV producer, told reporters: 'I make no apology for going off the script. 'I admire the man… I admire The King. He has similar views about things as I have, about the environment for example. 'He's human. When I went up to him and talked to him, he said something very touching to me. He said to me when you said that I almost cried. That's our King and he's a great King.' Intelligence Corps veteran George Durrant, aged 100 and from West Sussex, addressed the service alongside his great-granddaughter Elsbeth. He enlisted as a private in 1942 and trained to be a tank driver, before volunteering for a special mission which turned out to be serving in Burma. In his reading to the commemoration, Mr Durrant said people always talked about how brave the veterans were, but added that few of them saw it that way. He told the service: 'We must look to the future and ensure that the next generation remember our sacrifices so that they can strive for a more peaceful tomorrow.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Queen emotional as veteran goes ‘off script' to honour King's cancer battle
Charles and Camilla joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105 who served in the Far East and Pacific at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the six-year war, but 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. Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, took to the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, but took a moment to pay tribute to his 'brave king' first. Charles and Camilla react to veteran Yavar Abbas's reference to the King's cancer treatment during the service (Joe Giddens/PA) Camilla looked at her husband sitting next to her and appeared to wipe away a tear as Mr Abbas, 105, originally from Lucknow in India, said: 'I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.' Applause rang out among the crowd of around 1,500 guests as Mr Abbas said he had also battled cancer, adding that he hoped it would bring 'comfort' that he had been rid of the disease himself for 25 years. He added: 'I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad's 14th Army is never given the sobriquet again of The Forgotten Army.' Charles talks to veteran Yavar Abbas during the service (Alastair Grant/PA) The ceremony was hosted by actress Celia Imrie and featured readings by actor Robert Lindsay and veterans, as well as musical performances from the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, Jennifer Pike and the Royal Corps of Signals Pipes and Drums. Ahead of the service, the King, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed that the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns 'shall never be forgotten'. He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' paid by its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. He said: '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.' After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army. The service was attended by around 1,500 guests (Joe Giddens/PA) He viewed tributes at the Burma Railway memorial, which is constructed from 30 metres of original track from the so-called 'Railway of Death', and took a moment of reflection at the Burma Star Memorial and the Chindit Memorial, before heading to a reception for VJ veterans and their families. The King and Queen were joined by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, as they met some 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers. A dinner reception was held after the service at which The King, the Queen, and the Prime Minister chatted at length with several of the Far East veterans, including Mr Abbas. Speaking after the reception, the 105-year-old veteran, a retired write and TV producer, told reporters: 'I make no apology for going off the script. 'I admire the man… I admire The King. He has similar views about things as I have, about the environment for example. 'He's human. When I went up to him and talked to him, he said something very touching to me. He said to me when you said that I almost cried. That's our King and he's a great King.' Intelligence Corps veteran George Durrant, aged 100 and from West Sussex, addressed the service alongside his great-granddaughter Elsbeth. He enlisted as a private in 1942 and trained to be a tank driver, before volunteering for a special mission which turned out to be serving in Burma. In his reading to the commemoration, Mr Durrant said people always talked about how brave the veterans were, but added that few of them saw it that way. He told the service: 'We must look to the future and ensure that the next generation remember our sacrifices so that they can strive for a more peaceful tomorrow.'
