Vets pay tribute to 'forgotten army'

Veterans gathered in front of the cenotaph in Wolverhampton today for a poignant ceremony to remember "the forgotten army" of Burma.

Survivors from the Second World War's Far East campaign and other members of the city branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) were joined by relatives, members of the public and civic leaders to mark Victory in Japan (VJ) Day.

Standard bearers stood in front of the cenotaph in St Peter's Square, which had been cleaned in time for today's commemoration, after a 17-year-old yob had defaced it with graffiti. Many of those attending the ceremony were united in their condemnation of the vandalism, with veterans saying they wished the culprit had turned out today to learn about what people had given for their country.

The ceremony also took place next to the granite stone memorial for the Burma campaigners, which was unveiled last year.

Scores of onlookers applauded as the veterans, including members of the Wolverhampton branch of The Burma Star Association, marched past.

Speeches and prayers were said in front of the cenotaph and wreaths were laid by the RBL and Wolverhampton mayor Councillor Christine Mills.

RBL Wolverhampton branch chairman Norman Chater, aged 88, was allowed out of New Cross Hospital, where he has been recovering from a stroke, to attend the ceremony wearing his Burma Star medals and beret.

His wife Rose, 85, said: "It was a dream of Norman's to be here to remember the friends he lost."

George Hill, 82, served as a private in Burma for the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. He said he thought the ceremony was "marvellous".

Burma Star Association standard bearer Melvyn Jarvis, 65, from Willenhall, lost his father in Burma before ever meeting him. "These gentlemen are the forgotten army and they take great pride in that," he said.

Meanwhile, David Cameron met a former Far East prisoner of war today at a ceremony to mark VJ Day.

The Tory leader chatted with Jack Plant, 90, from Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.