VE/VJ DAY; WWII Vets Honoured at Remembrance Service Marking 80th Anniversary

[Ladybbird]

VE/VJ DAY; VE Day Overshadows VJ Day, Veterans Descendants Say

WWII Veterans Honoured at Remembrance Service Marking 80th Anniversary of VJ Day

The Prince and Princess of Wales commemorate those who served in the Asia Pacific 80 years ago during World War II

MailOnline 16 AUG 2025




Princess Catherine and Prince William Release Emotional Message to Mark Poignant Anniversary


'Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served'

We especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia/Pacific', Kate and William, both 43, wrote.

'We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful'

The royal couple signed off the social media post with their initials... 'Lest we forget'. W&C.





Members of the public at the VJ Day letters installation


VE Day often overshadows VJ Day, descendants of Second World War veterans have said during a screening of their wartime letters. Passers by paused to watch recordings of loved ones reading excerpts from the notes at the free installation to commemorate VJ Day.





Brian Sanderson with his father John Sandersons wartime letter



One message, heard at the launch in central London on Tuesday, said I'll think of you wherever you are, if it be near or far. I'll think of you. We'll meet again someday, when dreams come true.







The British women who sang for survival in a Japanese prisoner of war camp












Japanese Prisoner of War Camps


Another line, from a doctor in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, read 'Our dreams have finally come true. The nightmare is over.'






On 2 Sep 1945, Japan formally proclaimed an unconditional surrender to the Allies, bringing the hostilities of World War II to an end.







Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945



VJ Day on 15 August marks the anniversary of Japans surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War.



King Charles will lead British commemorations on Friday for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which marks victory over Japan and the end of World War Two, with famous buildings across the country lit up to mark the occasion.

While fighting in Europe ended in May 1945, the conflict with Japan continued until it signalled its intention to surrender on 15 August that year after atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States.

Charles will be joined by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Japanese ambassador and veterans for a National Service of Remembrance to pay tribute to those who were killed in the final three months of the war.

There will be a flypast featuring historic military planes and a two minute silence at midday.

Eighty years since our victory in the Second World War, we pay our respects to the many who fought, were captured, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Far East.. Our country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future, so we could have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today.

At dawn military bagpipers will perform at The Cenotaph war memorial in central London, at Edinburgh Castle and the National Memorial Arboretum in central England where the service of remembrance will be held later, the government said.

A piper will also perform at a Japanese peace garden to recognise the reconciliation between Britain and Japan in the decades since the war ended.





White Cliffs of Dover


On Friday evening, dozens of buildings and locations across the country including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover will be illuminated to mark the anniversary


WWII Veterans Honoured at Remembrance Service Marking 80th Anniversary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMW_RaX6Q4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QwcQanSkpg


Dame Vera Lynn The White Cliffs Of Dover & We'll Meet Again 1984

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px6GKO95WU4&t=27s