National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire , August 16(HS):
King Charles III and Queen Camilla led a solemn and heartfelt remembrance ceremony yesterday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, the historic day when Japan’s surrender ended World War Two in the Pacific theater on August 15, 1945. The occasion paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth forces who fought against Japan, many of whom endured horrific conditions, including captivity as prisoners of war.
At the National Memorial Arboretum, the royal couple stood alongside 33 surviving World War Two veterans aged between 96 and 105—heroes of the Far East and Pacific campaigns—whom they warmly honored. Wreaths were laid by the King, Queen, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, followed by a stirring flypast from the RAF’s Red Arrows and historic World War Two aircraft, including the iconic Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster bomber. A national two-minute silence solemnly marked the profound sacrifices made.
VJ Day—Victory over Japan Day—commemorates the end of nearly six years of brutal conflict in the Pacific, where approximately 71,000 UK and Commonwealth soldiers perished, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war. The day not only represents triumph but also remembrance of the immense human cost endured by military personnel and civilians alike.
The service featured powerful accounts narrated by actress Celia Imrie, interwoven with firsthand veteran testimonies and film clips that brought to life the trials they endured. George Durrant, who served in the intelligence corps, paid homage to fallen comrades alongside his great-granddaughter, humbly recalling witnessing the “price of freedom.” Royal Navy veteran Alfred Conway watched as his great-grandchildren laid a wreath at the memorial dedicated to those who labored on the infamous Burma Thailand Railway.
The Queen, visibly moved, wiped away a tear as 105-year-old veteran Yavar Abbas saluted King Charles and spoke of his own 25-year cancer remission as a symbol of hope and resilience. Poignant reflections also came from Edward Hadfield, 100, who celebrated survival on VJ Day while mourning friends lost in battle, and Katharine Canning, 83, who recounted her childhood years spent in a Japanese internment camp before liberation.
The ceremony embraced reconciliation, highlighted by the presence of Yoshi Sekiba, a Japanese visitor paying respects to fallen British troops, emphasizing enduring peace between former adversaries. Stanley Roberts, 99, underscored the ceremony’s deep significance, urging remembrance while surviving veterans remain.
In a pre-recorded address, King Charles reflected on his grandfather King George VI’s historic 1945 announcement of war’s end, honoring those dubbed the “Forgotten Army” who fought on after Europe’s conflict ceased. He highlighted the brutal conditions faced by prisoners of war and civilians under Japanese occupation and lamented the devastating toll of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where over 200,000 lives were lost—calling it a “price we pray no nation need ever pay again.”
The King’s message captured the essence of shared humanity, commemorating the “courage and camaraderie” that transcended faith and culture—calling this spirit a “flame that shall blaze for eternity,” inspiring future generations.
VJ Day commemorations began Thursday with a sunset ceremony at London’s Memorial Gates honoring Commonwealth troops. Dawn Friday saw pipers across the globe—including in Nepal, New Zealand, and aboard HMS Prince of Wales—play the lament Battle’s O’er. Buildings nationwide, including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, were illuminated to mark the 80th anniversary, symbolizing enduring remembrance and peace.
The anniversary events will conclude with a special reception at Windsor Castle later this year, offering a final tribute to those who fought and sacrificed in the Pacific theater.
This solemn milestone not only honors a pivotal moment in history but also reminds the world of the profound cost of liberty and the enduring hope for peace beyond conflict.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
