The Royal British Legion has announced its plans to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on Saturday 15th August. On this significant anniversary, Sarah Dines MP is encouraging the public to remember and recognise all those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East and ultimately brought an end to the Second World War.
Sarah Dines MP said, ‘The war in the Far East is often forgotten and this should not be the case. Whilst many of us remembered the sacrifice of our brave service men and women on VE day earlier this year, fewer people remember those that served during the Second World War in the Far East. For these soliders the war was not over on VE day and it would be many, many months before those lucky enough to survive their time in the Far East were reunited with their families back home. Often the mental and physical scars of war in the Far East followed these brave service people home, due to the atrocious and harrowing conditions in which they served and were held prisoner. There are many veterans and families of veterans who fought in the Far East living in our area and across the UK, indeed, our national hero Sir Tom Moore is a veteran of the Burma campaign.
This year the Royal British Legion are shining a spotlight on the stories of British and Commonwealth Tri-Service Forces, highlighting the forgotten history of those who fought.
To inspire people to participate in VJ Day 75, the charity has launched an interactive map on its website to show the range of nations that service personnel came from and also share the stories of those who lived through the conflict. On Saturday 15th August the charity is holding a commemorative Service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and encouraging the public to take part in a national moment of Remembrance.
A Two Minute Silence will take place at 11am and will be the focal point of the commemorative service at the National Memorial Arboretum led by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Legion is inviting the public to join in the silence remotely from home or share in the moment on BBC One. The commemorations will pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the thousands of Armed Forces personnel, civilians and family members who contributed to victory in the Far East, and recognise the horrors they endured. I do hope that many of you will join me in taking a moment at 11am to remember these people and the hardships they faced for our freedom.’
