It is 80 years today since VJ Day, which marked the tip of World War Two after six years of conflict and tens of millions of deaths.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) marked the tip of fighting in Europe in May 1945, but hundreds of Armed Forces personnel needed to battle on for a lot of more months within the Far East before the Second World War as an entire was finally delivered to an end when Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 – Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day).
Victory got here at terrible human cost, not least the lots of of hundreds killed by two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Countless military personnel lost their lives in among the worst fighting seen in the entire of the War, and tens of hundreds died in brutal conditions in Japanese prisoner of war camps.
A national Service of Remembrance was held on the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to honour and remember those that fought and died in the course of the Second World War within the Far East. It was joined by lots of of veterans and military personnel, and broadcast live to tell the tale BBC1.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those previous few months of the Second World War must not ever be forgotten.
“It is so essential for us as a nation to come back together on this essential anniversary to recollect our VJ Day veterans and listen to their stories first-hand so we will make sure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is rarely forgotten.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “VJ Day was the ultimate victory in a war that modified the world, and we honour those that served within 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.
“Their legacy must not ever be forgotten, and it’s our duty to pass their stories on to future generations.”
Churches and cathedrals across the country are marking the occasion with special services and by participating within the national two-minute silence held at 12 noon.
Among them is Wakefield Cathedral, which hosted a commemorative service at Wakefield War Memorial within the morning.
The cathedral said, “This morning marks 80 years since VJ Day – the tip of WWII. We remember those that served within the Far East and all who gave their lives for peace.”
Birmingham Cathedral has produced a special prayer for the day through which it remembers “all those that served and aided the explanation for the Allied victory within the Pacific, won at so terrible and great a price”.
Rochester Cathedral’s spire shall be lit in red, white and blue this evening to commemorate the historic occasion.
The Prayer Book Society is holding a commemorative evensong on Thursday night at St Barts the Great in Smithfield, London’s oldest parish church dating back to the 1100s which miraculously survived the Blitz despite being in the guts of town.
The Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, has been encouraging churches across Lancashire to become involved by holding special services, flying flags and ringing bells.
Bishop North said: “The eightieth anniversary of VJ Day, coming so soon after VE80 in May, marks one other deeply meaningful occasion for our nation.
“It is a time to reflect with heartfelt gratitude on the bravery and sacrifice of those that served world wide to secure the peace and freedoms we cherish today.
“So, once more, I invite all our churches throughout the county to participate in these commemorations on the day and over the weekend ahead. Mark the moment in services; to ring out bells; lift up prayers for peace and open our doors as places of remembrance and unity for our communities.
“As we honour those that gave a lot, may we also renew our dedication to shaping a world rooted in Jesus’ teaching; a world of justice, compassion and lasting peace.”
