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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- 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.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
South East marks 80th anniversary of VJ Day
People across the South East gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and honour those who fought for the world's freedom. VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, is commemorated on 15 August each year and marks the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered to Allied forces, bringing World War Two to an end after nearly six the war against Japan alone, 71,000 UK and Commonwealth soldiers died while 12,000 prisoners of war were held in Japanese captivity. Commemorations took place across the South East, including at Hailsham War Memorial, where armed forces personnel, veterans and residents gathered to pay tribute. David Calvert said he wanted to remember his father and his wife's grandfather's involvement in the Far East campaign."I am here to remember the men and women who fell during the Japanese war, in particular my father who was in the Royal Airforce," he Calvert said his father served as a code decipherer on Motorina Island near Papua New Guinea and was one of the few RAF members awarded the Pacific Star medal."My wife's grandfather served in Burma and suffered very serious injuries which affected him for the rest of his life. "These people should be remembered. Attending this commemoration is not glorification but an act of remembrance." A service was also held at the Historic Dockyard in was led by Brigadier Peter Gilbert QVRM TD DL VR, deputy lieutenant of Kent, and attended by veterans and dignitaries and Medway's Vince Maple, leader of Medway Council, said: "Medway has a long and proud history with our Armed Forces, and I know many of us will have a strong personal connection through veterans or current personnel they know. "We saw how communities across Medway came together to mark VE Day earlier this year, and though VJ Day is a more sombre and reflective day, it's another chance for us to show that we continue to honour and remember the legacy of those who came before us." Councillor Chrissy Stamp, Medway Council's armed forces champion, said: "Anniversaries like this give us all the opportunity to pause and think about the unimaginable sacrifices that people made to secure our freedom. "Those sacrifices are still being made today, and we are committed to supporting veterans and those who are still serving as best we can." Guildford Borough Council has also paid tribute to those who fought in Asia. The Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Stephen Hives, laid flowers of remembrance at Guildford Castle war was joined by Graham Chilton, the secretary of the Surrey Branch of Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association. The council says this act of reflection "honours not only those who served but also the enduring legacy of peace they helped secure".Mr Hives said: "We honour the extraordinary bravery, resilience and sacrifice of those who served in the Far East. "Their courage in the face of unimaginable hardship helped secure the peace we enjoy today. It is our duty to remember them, not just today, but always."Other memorial services took place in Crawley, Burgess Hill, Crowborough and Worthing. In Kent, events were held at Hythe War Memorial, Maidstone County Hall and Westgate. A service is also due to be held at Horley Memorial in Surrey on Saturday at 12:00 BST.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police attend ceremony to mark end of Second World War
PCSO 5133 Larmour attended a flag-raising ceremony outside Penrith Old Town Hall to mark the anniversary of Victory over Japan and the end of the 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.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
East Surrey Museum displays historic VJ Day silk handkerchief
To mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, a museum in Surrey has shared memories of Allied soldiers who fought in the Far East campaign. The conflict was brought to a conclusion when two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender on 15 August 1945 - and also ending World War Two. Now 80 years on, relics from the Far East commemorating the occasion are on display in East Surrey Museum, in such memento is a handkerchief with a map of Japan printed on parachute silk, donated by the family of Surrey serviceman Robert William Layfield - a navigator who flew to Japan to survey the islands for enemy activity. 'Terrible nightmares' His daughter Maureen Charman said: "My father undertook other missions, including rescuing naval personnel shipwrecked in the Pacific."He had seen kamikaze pilots diving into ships, POWs released from concentration camps and the aftermath of the atomic bombs."Ms Charman, who lives in Caterham, said he was traumatised by the events."He sometimes had terrible nightmares and he suffered from fever due to contracting malaria while fighting in the jungle," she said. "It took years for the disease to get out of his system."Curator Peter Connelly said the handkerchief was a "gem".He added Mr Layfield purchased the handkerchief to wrap some pearls he had bought to take home to his sweetheart when he returned to the UK. "While many lives were lost ending this war, this was a historic event and needs to be remembered," Mr Connelly said the design printed on the handkerchief was inspired by the jubilation of the surrender of Japan."It is believed the handkerchief was printed after the formal surrender ceremony, which was 2 September 1945," he Connelly believed the handkerchief was printed in the Far East and servicemen took it home with them to remember how they played a role in ending the conflict. "These items evoke a lot of memories of what it was like fighting and surviving in such nightmarish times," he added."They were horrific times, but we owe it to the next generations - educating them so we avoid history repeating itself."The handkerchief is printed with frangipane blossoms and flags of the nations involved - the UK, USA, Australia and Chinese flag featured was used by the Kuomintang Party when it ruled China before they were overthrown by the Communist Party in 1949. Mr Connelly said these handkerchiefs are also in museums in USA, Australia and New to the Imperial War Museum website, there is at least one such handkerchief in its collection.
