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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special on BBC1: Poignant keepsakes of the Forgotten Army brought a lump to the throat...
Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special (BBC1) Rating: The words are inscribed on war memorials across the country: 'When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.' But few, perhaps, know the words are sometimes called the Kohima Prayer, named after a battle in a remote part of India in 1944, a turning point in the war against Japan. Unlike Alamein or Arnhem, Kohima is not frequently remembered. Sadly, the courage and the sacrifice of the British and Commonwealth soldiers who defended it, the 14th Army, are often overlooked too. No wonder they sometimes called themselves, with dry irony, the Forgotten Fourteenth. But their story was marked with a mixture of solemnity and sentimentality as some of their descendants brought treasured keepsakes of the war in the Far East to the Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special. 'It's history in your hand,' remarked historian Robert Tilney, as he inspected a Japanese officer's shin gunto sword, a trophy from Kohima. 'It's a hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck job.' This episode traced the conflict chronologically, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima. JUGGLING ACT OF THE WEEKEND A dolphin mother taught her calf how to play keepy-uppy with a piece of coral balanced on her nose, in Parenthood (BBC1). The trick was to drop it and catch it again before it hit the seabed. No using teeth or flippers... that's cheating. The names are familiar but the horrors suffered by troops in the jungles of South-east Asia are beyond imagination, as viewers of The Narrow Road To The Deep North (which followed on BBC1) can attest. Children and grandchildren of the survivors all repeated versions of the same line: 'He never talked about it much.' In part, as presenter Fiona Bruce discovered, this was because soldiers who returned from the murderous Japanese prisoner-of-war camps were under orders not to discuss what they had endured. I've always felt there was another, subtler psychological reason: these men had been through hell to protect their families. By making light of what they suffered, they were able to continue giving that protection. There was no doubting the debt of gratitude, coupled with a deep sense of respect, that everyone on the show felt. None of the artefacts was given a valuation — that would have been crass. In any case, how can you put a price on a bowl fashioned from a coconut shell, which was one man's only possession during his long imprisonment? There was no doubting the debt of gratitude, coupled with a deep sense of respect, that everyone on the show felt. None of the artefacts was given a valuation — that would have been crass Many of the items were impossibly poignant, such as a chess set carved from balsa wood with a penknife, or the hat worn by a soldier with the Chindits, an explosives expert fighting deep behind enemy lines. Possibly the most touching of all was a letter from an artillery man to his baby son, and preserved with care for more than 80 years. 'Dear little Jimmy,' he wrote, 'though you won't be able to read this, I hope you'll keep it and cherish it. Be very good for mummy as she's the dearest person in the world and love her just as much as I do.' Jimmy had a lump in his throat as he read it. And so did I.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
King to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day with address to the nation
Charles' pre-recorded audio message will be broadcast on VJ Day ahead of a service of remembrance attended by the King and Queen, Second World War veterans and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. VJ Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. Camilla and Charles will attend the national service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Chris Radburn/PA) The service, broadcast live by the BBC, will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, 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 his wife leave floral tributes, as will other senior figures. A national two-minutes silence will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows and the service will draw to a close with a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, before the King and Queen attend a reception with Second World War veterans. While Charles and Camilla are at the National Memorial Arboretum event, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland. Charles meeting a veteran after the national service of remembrance marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum (Oli Scarff/PA) Elsewhere, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will join the congregation at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral, before attending a second commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk. Ahead of VJ Day, Sophie will meet Second World War veteran Jim Wren, who was serving on HMS Repulse when he was captured and held on the Indonesian island of Sumatra until the end of the war. Events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day will conclude with a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the autumn.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
King to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day with address to the nation
Charles' pre-recorded audio message will be broadcast on VJ Day ahead of a service of remembrance attended by the King and Queen, Second World War veterans and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. VJ Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. Camilla and Charles will attend the national service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Chris Radburn/PA) The service, broadcast live by the BBC, will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, 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 his wife leave floral tributes, as will other senior figures. A national two-minutes silence will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows and the service will draw to a close with a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, before the King and Queen attend a reception with Second World War veterans. While Charles and Camilla are at the National Memorial Arboretum event, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland. Charles meeting a veteran after the national service of remembrance marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum (Oli Scarff/PA) Elsewhere, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will join the congregation at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral, before attending a second commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk. Ahead of VJ Day, Sophie will meet Second World War veteran Jim Wren, who was serving on HMS Repulse when he was captured and held on the Indonesian island of Sumatra until the end of the war. Events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day will conclude with a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the autumn.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland govt employees join national strike, submit 5-point demands
Kohima, The Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association , in solidarity with All India State Government Employees Federation , observed a one-day national strike here on Wednesday. Nagaland govt employees join national strike, submit 5-point demands Addressing a press conference to voice concerns over employee welfare and pension reforms, CANSSEA general secretary Yhunsenlo Kent outlined a five-point charter of demands submitted to the Governor of Nagaland through the Chief Secretary. The protest in Nagaland is part of a nationwide agitation coordinated by AISGEF demanding a rollback of the New Pension Scheme and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme , along with 11 national-level demands. In the Nagaland context, government employees submitted five specific demands, Kent said. Demanding repeal of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act and the scrapping of the NPS, Kent said employees want the state to abolish the market-linked pension system and bring all employees under the defined-benefit OPS. Fund managers should return deposited amounts to the state government, and all subscribers should be covered under EPS-95, he added. Calling for the constitution of a State Pay Commission, Kent said it should be set up immediately to align with the 8th Central Pay Commission and ensure pay revisions every five years instead of 10. While lauding the implementation of the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme for enabling cashless treatment to regular, pensioned, and contractual employees, CANSSEA officials urged the government to upgrade the infrastructure of empanelled hospitals under the scheme to improve accessibility and quality of healthcare in Nagaland. They also demanded full implementation of eligibility norms for induction to higher cadres, including IAS, as per the March 10, 2025, Vacancy Circular, citing irregularities in senior-level appointments. President of the Nagaland NPS Forum, Avizo Nienu, highlighted disparities between OPS and NPS. "Under OPS, employees receive 50 per cent of their last drawn salary as pension without contributing. But NPS employees, despite contributing 10 per cent of their monthly salary, face an uncertain future with no guaranteed pension," he said. Citing data from the Treasury and Accounts Department, he revealed that over ₹200 crore remains unaccounted for in NPS accounts of state employees. "More than 1,000 NPS employee accounts still show nil balances," he stated. Employee bodies warned that failure to address their demands could lead to escalated agitation. "If the government continues to ignore our pleas, we will be forced to take further steps," said B Imtiwabang Jamir, member of the Core Committee, Nagaland NPS Forum. The protest aligns with similar movements across the country, as eight states have already reverted to OPS, he added. Nagaland implemented the NPS for government employees appointed on or after January 1, 2010. Since then, a growing section of the workforce has voiced concerns over the scheme's sustainability, lack of assured benefits, and inadequate family coverage. With approximately 35,000 NPS subscribers currently in Nagaland, employees have called for urgent reforms before more retirees are left vulnerable. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Leader Live
19-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary
Veterans and their families are invited as guests of honour to the event, which will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15. VJ Day marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. The service will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, 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. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, who served in India on VJ Day in 1945 and will attend the event, said: 'This is a significant moment for my generation and for all those who served out there and back home before Japan surrendered. 'It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much, and to remember those who never made it back.' He added: 'I would encourage all my comrades to visit the RBL's website and register for what will be a very poignant day.' This event comes just weeks after the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked victory in Europe. New research, commissioned by the RBL, estimates that only around 8,000 Second World War veterans remain in England and Wales, based on data from the 2021 Census and ONS projections. The charity warns that this number is expected to fall below 300 by the 90th anniversary. Mark Atkinson, director-general of the RBL, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is likely to be one of the last opportunities as a nation to thank those veterans still with us today for their service and sacrifice. 'We owe it to all those with a connection to VJ Day to pause and reflect on their contribution and legacy.' The RBL said the research, carried out by Rand Europe, is part of its work to better understand and support the changing needs of the Armed Forces community. Angela Kitching, RBL's director of campaigns, policy and research, said: 'These new findings are the result of a decades-long effort by the RBL to improve data on veterans living in this country.' Veterans or their families can register to attend by visiting
