VJ day marks a special day in the history of our nation. Although VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) arrived just over three months earlier, it was not until 15 August 1945 that the Second World War finally came to an end with the surrender of Japan. It was VJ Day when the pain of war could finally start to fall away as peace was declared on all fronts.

An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth were killed in the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity. This year marks the 75th anniversary of  Victory over Japan. However, large celebrations had to be put on hold due to our current battle with the coronavirus.

Luke Pollard MP from Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said:

“This is a really important day for our country and our city. It’s crucial that VJ Day is remembered right alongside VE Day, so we can continue to honour the troops from Britain, India, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and many others, who fought alongside each other to defend the cause of freedom.

 

The Pacific is the last theatre where British troops lost their lives in WW2. This is a source of our nation’s cherished multicultural makeup, and the incidences of bravery and sacrifice demonstrated there brought the world’s bloodiest war to an end. We owe it to those who fought then, their families, and service personnel now to commemorate the events leading up to Victory over Japan and to take stock of just how valuable our armed forces are.

 

Three-quarters of a century after Victory over Japan, we continue to enjoy the hard-fought freedoms secured by the brave men and women in the Pacific theatre. We must remember those who fought to protect our freedom and those in our armed forces now who continue to do so.”