Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ (Victory in Japan) Day and Members of the Royal Family have joined commemorations for those who fought and died in the Far East during the Second World War.
Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in fighting in the Far East. Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and VJ Day marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.
This year’s commemorations remember the contribution of all Commonwealth and Allied Forces, without whom victory and the freedoms and way of life enjoyed today would not have been possible.
The Queen wrote a message to mark the anniversary:
His Majesty The King and The Queen Consort attended a national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Their Majesties laid a wreath and flowers and led the nation in a two minute silence.
During a speech, His Majesty said:
Today we remember and give thanks for the extraordinary bravery, resourcefulness and tenacity demonstrated by those who fought in the Asia-Pacific Theatre of the Second World War. Together, they comprised a force whose courage was as remarkable as its diversity – hundreds of thousands of troops from India, Burma, China and across Asia, were joined by hundreds of thousands more from Europe, Africa, Australasia and North America. Together, they served with the greatest distinction. Without them, the war could not have been won.
