PICTURE SPECIAL – Redditch community comes together to commemorate VJ Day
THE REDDITCH community gathered together on Saturday to remember and mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day, honouring the end of the Second World War and the sacrifices of those who served in the Far East campaign.
The commemorations began at 11.30am outside the Palace Theatre, where Armed Forces veterans, civic leaders and residents assembled for a solemn procession.
At midday, a short but poignant service was held.
Pictures by Martin Attewell. s
Wreaths were laid in memory of the thousands of British and Commonwealth troops who continued fighting in the Asia-Pacific long after VE Day had been declared in Europe.
The Redditch branch of the Royal British Legion played a key role in organising the event, echoing national efforts to ensure the 80th anniversary was marked with dignity and gratitude.
The service was officiated by Rev Paul Lawlor, Redditch Royal British Legion chairman Gerry Marsden and RBL vice chairman and former Mayor Juliet Brunner.
Pictures by Martin Attewell. s
Christine Broadhurst was present to remember her dad Herbert John Lester, ‘Bert’.
He was a Japanese prisoner of war (POW) during the Second World War.
Pictures by Martin Attewell. s
Christine said: “The worst thing was that those who served in Japan were the forgotten heroes as those who returned after VE Day were involved in all the initial celebrations but they were still either in captivity or fighting in Japan.
“They were known as the ‘forgotten army’. Their role tends to be played down, compared to those who fought and came back but VJ Day was just as important as VE Day when it came to the end of the Second World War.”
The VJ Day 80 commemorations held special significance for Juliet. Her grandfather Pte Walter Gibbons of the 8th Worcestershire Battalion served in Burma.
She said: ”My grandfather didn’t come home until 1946 to meet my three-year-old mother for the first time. He rarely spoke of his time in Burma and very much felt he was part of the forgotten army.”
Pictures by Martin Attewell. s
The service was followed by afternoon tea at Mount Carmel Church Hall
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