This month marks 80 years since the end of World War II, when Victory over Japan (VJ Day) was declared on 15 August 1945. Ipswich Borough Council will honour this historic milestone with two public events, inviting residents to reflect upon and remember those who served in Asia and the Far East.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in Christchurch Park on Friday 15 August, starting at 10.55am. Led by the Royal British Legion, this service will honour British, Commonwealth, and Allied veterans who served in the Asian, Pacific and Indian Ocean theatres of war, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace. Members of the public are invited to attend, to pay tribute together with serving personnel and veterans from the Armed Forces, the Mayor of Ipswich, local councillors, and civic dignitaries.
On Sunday 17 August, a Commemoration Service takes place in Ipswich Minster at 3.30pm. During the ceremony, military historian Taff Gillingham will reflect on the contributions made by local regiments to the war effort.
These VJ Day 80 events for Ipswich follow the town’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945.
At that time, thousands of British and Commonwealth military personnel continued to fight Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific for a further three months. Victory over Japan was finally declared on 15 August 1945, following Imperial Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces.
Councillor Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:
“I was proud to see our community come together for the VE Day commemorations earlier this year. Now, we have one of our final opportunities to honour the VJ Day veterans whose courage and sacrifice brought the Second World War to an end.
“Residents and visitors to Ipswich are warmly invited to attend these two occasions at the Cenotaph and the Minster, as we remember, reflect, and honour all those who served.
“The descendants of many of the Commonwealth veterans of that army are now part of multicultural communities around the world, a lasting legacy to the success and comradeship of those who fought in the Far East. That legacy of those who served continues to shape communities today, including ours, and must never be forgotten.”
Across the UK, a national two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Friday 15 August for everyone wishing to take part in marking the VJ Day 80 anniversary with moments of reflection for those who fought and died during six years of conflict across the globe.