King and Queen Commemorate 80th Anniversary of VJ Day with Veterans

Commemoration of VJ Day

• 👑 The King and Queen led a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
• 🕊️ The event honored the surrender of Japan, marking the end of World War Two, with a two-minute silence.
• 💔 This year's commemoration is particularly poignant as the number of veterans who can attend dwindles.

Honoring World War Two Veterans

• 🎖️ 33 veterans, some aged 101, attended the service, representing those who served in the Far East.
• 🗣️ The King expressed gratitude for the veterans' service and sacrifice, acknowledging this may be one of the last anniversaries they can gather together.
• ✈️ A flypast by the Red Arrows added to the solemnity of the occasion.

Stories from the Far East Campaign

• 💡 Veteran Sid Machin, 101, shared his experiences as part of the Chindits, an elite force in Burma, describing the work as hard and monotonous.
• 🥵 He recalled the extreme heat and the simple methods used to cope, like dipping hats in streams.
• 🤝 Sid Machin also noted the King's kindness and pleasant nature during their interaction.

The 'Forgotten Army' and Prisoner Experiences

• 👨‍👧‍👦 Lieutenant Colonel David Chemist Betty discussed the challenging Far East theater of war, where soldiers battled not only the enemy but also diseases like malaria.
• ⛓️ His father was a prisoner of war for three and a half years in Changi jail, Singapore, an experience detailed in his published diary, "Half a Banana."
• 🌱 Prisoners in Changi maintained morale through gardening, sports, arts, music, and education, demonstrating remarkable friendship, discipline, and hope.
• 🇯🇵 Notably, his father held no bitterness towards the Japanese, viewing them as professional soldiers.

Remembering Sacrifice and Courage

• 🌍 The importance of remembering VJ Day is highlighted, especially for the few surviving veterans and those who have passed.
• 🤝 Family links to the conflict extend across Commonwealth countries, including India, Pakistan, and Nepal, with significant contributions from Gurkha troops.
• 🙏 The commemoration serves to ensure the courage and sacrifice of all involved are not forgotten for future generations.