VJ Day: UK commemorates 75th anniversary as royals lead tributes - BBC News

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The Royal Family is leading the UK's commemorations on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day - the day World War Two ended with Japan's surrender.

The Prince of Wales led a two-minute silence at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, as part of a service of remembrance.

The Duke of Edinburgh is also featuring in commemorations, appearing in a photo montage with other veterans.

And a message from the Queen thanked those "who fought so valiantly".

She said: "Those of us who remember the conclusion of the Far East campaign, whether on active service overseas, or waiting for news at home, will never forget the jubilant scenes and overwhelming sense of relief."

The Prince of Wales laid a wreath at the Kwai Railway Memorial at the arboretum, as a small number of veterans and their relatives sat on benches dotted around the garden, to maintain social distancing.

The prime minister, who is also attending the remembrance event, has thanked those who fought for restoring "peace and prosperity".

Earlier, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was joined by military chiefs as he placed a wreath at the Cenotaph in London.

VJ Day - or Victory over Japan Day - on 15 August 1945 ended one of the worst episodes in British military history, during which tens of thousands of servicemen were forced to endure the brutalities of prisoner of war camps.

It is estimated that there were 71,000 British and Commonwealth casualties of the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity. More than 2.5 million Japanese military personnel and civilians are believed to have died over the course of the conflict.

The fighting in Europe had ended in May 1945, but many Allied servicemen were still fighting against Japan in east Asia.

Japan rejected an ultimatum for peace, and the US believed that dropping a nuclear bomb would force them to surrender. The US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, killing an estimated 214,000 people, and two weeks later Japan surrendered.

To mark the 75th anniversary, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo, but did not attend in person.

However, two of his ministers did visit the Yasukuni Shrine - in which 14 leaders who were later convicted by the Allies as war criminals are commemorated.

At the remembrance event

John Maguire, BBC News

The National Memorial Arboretum seems to lend itself perfectly to the concept of a socially distanced commemorative service.

Veterans of the Burma campaign, their families, and other guests sat on chairs spaced out on the grass between the trees.

The proceedings focussed on the multinational and multicultural make up of the Allied forces that fought the Japanese.

Gurkhas, alongside Sikhs, sat next to troops from Welsh and Scottish regiments, representing the 40 nations involved in the Far East.

After sitar music, readings from British Asian actors, and speeches from descendants of those who fought, the roar of aircraft engines could be heard overhead. A Lancaster, Hurricane and three Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial flew over in formation and in tribute.

Then those who could stand, were invited to do so for a two minute silence.

The Prince of Wales then laid a wreath at the Burma Railway Memorial.

Flowers had been placed between the sleepers and track that make up the memorial. Known as the "Death Railway", 16,000 prisoners of war died during its construction.

It makes an incongruous yet incredibly poignant sight among the granite and brass of the other memorials.

Boris Johnson has joined other world leaders including US President Donald Trump in recording a video message to thank veterans.

In the video, each leader says in turn: "To all who served, we thank you."

Mr Johnson added: "On this 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we pay tribute to the heroes deployed thousands of miles away in the mountains, islands and rainforests of Asia.

"Unable to celebrate the victory in Europe, and among the last to return home, today we recognise the bravery and ingenuity of those who, in the face of adversity, restored peace and prosperity to the world.

"Their immeasurable sacrifice changed the course of history and, at today's commemorations, we take the opportunity to say what should be said every day - thank you."

In a letter specifically addressed to Far East veterans, Mr Johnson said: "You were the last to come home but your achievements are written in the lights of the glittering capitals of the dynamic region we see today."

"All of us who were born after you have benefited from your courage in adversity. On this anniversary, and every day hereafter, you will be remembered," he added.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also recorded a message, paying tribute "to the wartime generation, who through the horrors of conflict showed us the spirit and determination that we need to always remember and always be grateful for".

"It's important that as we face the challenges of today, we take inspiration from that generation," he said.

Prince Philip, 99, was a young Royal Navy officer aboard a warship in Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered.

The photo montage is a rare appearance for the duke, who has only been seen a handful of times in public since retiring in 2017 - most recently for a military event at Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile Capt Sir Tom Moore, who served in the Burma campaign has encouraged the public to join in the commemorations, describing VJ Day as "the most special day".

"It was VJ Day when the pain of war could finally start to fall away as peace was declared on all fronts," said Sir Tom - who raised millions of pounds for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden during lockdown.

"I respectfully ask Britain to stop whatever it is doing and take some time to remember.

"We must all take the time to stop, think and be thankful that were it not for the ultimate sacrifices made all those years ago by such a brave band of men and women, we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have today, even in these current difficult times."

What's taking place today?

The commemorations began at sunrise, with a piper playing Battle's Over at the Imperial War Museum's HMS Belfast in London.

Military pipers also played at dawn in India, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal. In Japan, national memorial services have been held in Tokyo.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a national service of remembrance and led a two-minute silence from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Mr Johnson read the Exhortation - the part of the war poem beginning "they shall grow not old". A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast also commemorates those who fought.

The Red Arrows are performing a flypast over the cities of Edinburgh (11:30), Belfast (14:00), Cardiff (14:45) and London (17:30) - the first time such a flypast will take place since the London Olympics.

A photo montage featuring Prince Philip and other veterans is being shown on a number of large screens across the UK.

On Saturday evening, the BBC will air a pre-recorded programme from 20:30 called VJ Day 75: The Nation's Tribute, which will tell the story of those who served in the Far East and include a message from Prince William.

BBC One is broadcasting live from the National Memorial Arboretum between 09:30 and 11:30 BST.

VJ Day 75: The Nation's Tribute will be aired from 20:30 BST.

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