VJ Day to be marked in Wolverhampton

Celebrations had already swept across Europe three months earlier – but on August 15, 1945, the Second World War was truly over.

Veterans, civic dignitaries and members of the public will be among those taking part in a service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square in Wolverhampton on August 15 this year.

It will commemorate Victory over Japan Day – the day in 1945 that the Japanese Army surrendered to Allied forces.

In doing so, it brought an end to a conflict which had claimed millions of lives around the world.

The City of Wolverhampton Central Branch of the Royal British Legion, the Wolverhampton and District United Ex-Service Council and the Burma Star Association’s Wolverhampton Branch will attend the annual service at the Cenotaph from 11.30am.

It will begin with a parade of standards and veterans followed by prayers, the Kohima homily and Royal British Legion exhortation and the Last Post, as well as two minutes’ silence.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu will be among those in attendance. He said: “Commemorating VJ Day gives us the opportunity to remember the courage and bravery shown in the Far East by many thousands of British servicemen, some of whom were sadly never to return.

“It is now more than seven decades since the end of the Second World War and, as the number of veterans who are still with us sadly diminishes, it is very important that we show our immense gratitude for the sacrifices they made for our freedom.”

Lyndon Purnell, chairman of the central branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion, said: “I’d like to invite everyone to join us and remember the sacrifices shown by countless Wulfrunians who served in the Far East during the Second World War, including members of the Chindits, the British India special force which served in the Burma campaign.”

Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant. It calls on local people to support the Armed Forces community and to recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made over the years and encourage activities that help members of the Armed Forces integrate into local life.

It also encourages members of the Armed Forces support the wider community, and promote understanding and awareness among the public of some of the issues faced by former members of the Armed Forces as they return to civilian life.

For details of the help and support available to the Armed Forces community in Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/armedforces.