A NATIONAL two-minute silence will be held next month to mark VJ Day and honour the WW2 soldiers who fought and died in the Far East.
The country is being urged to commemorate their sacrifice at midday August 15, 80 years on from declaring victory over Japan.
GettyA ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will see a flypast[/caption]
MirrorpixCrowds flocked to Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria memorial[/caption]
MirrorpixThousands of revellers packed into Victoria Square, Birmingham to celebrate VJ Day with gusto[/caption]
A ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will see a flypast by the Red Arrows as well as a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
It will also see around 400 members of the Armed Forces parade and form a Guard of Honour.
Imperial Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces on August 15 1945, three months after victory in Europe.
The British Army’s presence was bolstered by thousands of troops from across the Commonwealth including India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nepal and Africa.
Veterans attending the service – broadcast live on BBC1 – include those who served in Burma and at the battles of Kohima and Imphal in India.
Second World War veteran Tom Berry, aged 101, was serving aboard HMS Tartar in the Pacific when Japan surrendered eight decades ago.
He said last night: “For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history.
“I’ll be watching the service at home, and I’d ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude.
“Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace.
Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, said: “We encourage everyone across the country to take a moment to reflect during the two-minute silence on VJ Day, to watch the Service of Remembrance live on the BBC or at the Arboretum, and pay tribute to those from Britain and across the Commonwealth who fought in the Far East in the Second World War.”
MirrorpixCrowds celebration Victory in Japan Day in Albert Square, Manchester[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
