Tag: VJ Day 80

80th Anniversary of the end of the war against Japan

Commemorating those who fought and died in the campaigns in the Far East

YESTERDAY (Saturday 16 August 2025) The Royal Scots Regimental Association led a memorial service at The Royal Scots Memorial Garden at Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Japan which marked the end of the Second World War (VJ Day, 15 August 1945).

Those on parade included descendants of those who fought in the Far East between 1941 and 1945, former Royal Scots and their families as well as representatives of other services and arms that were involved in the various campaigns.  

Having formed up in front of Lauriston Castle, they marched the short distance to the Royal Scots Memorial Garden behind the Royal Scots Association Pipe Band and their Association Standards.  

A short service was conducted by Reverend Dr Iain May, Chaplain to The Royal Scots Regimental Association.  The wreath laying was led by Brigadier George Lowder, President of The Royal Scots Regimental Association.

The Royal Scots, recruited predominantly from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Peeblesshire, were involved from the first day to the last of this bitterly fought campaign.  

Their 2nd Battalion fought in defence of Hong Kong from 8 December 1941 and 144 of those who survived were among the 828 prisoners who perished when their ship, the Lisbon Maru, was torpedoed in October 1942; the remainder, if they survived, endured four years of captivity.  

The Regiment’s 1st Battalion fought through the later campaign in Burma, including the Battles of Kohima and Aradura which marked the turning point in the war against Japan and led to the final victory on VJ Day, 15 August 1945.

Malcolm Warrack, son of Lt Col Morren Warrack who fought at Kohima with the regiment, said: “A group of Royal Scots Veterans felt very strongly about the lack of some form of local memorial specifically for their fellow soldiers who did not come back from the Burma Campaign and Kohima in particular.

“George Rogers, Ian Henderson and Morren Warrack co-ordinated the preparation and creation of this Memorial Garden; they spoke often about the “Forgotten Army” in the Far East so it is particularly fitting that 80 years after VJ Day we remember them.”

Gerry Borg, son of Lisbon Maru survivor John Borg, said: “We can never fully appreciate the suffering and pain endured by the brave men who were Prisoners of War in Japan.

“From a very young age we were taught that the word ‘starving’ was forbidden in our house. Dad would remind us that we never had, and hopefully never would, experience true starvation.

“On the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, it is right that we remember the sacrifice made on our behalf. We must preserve the history of the events and, honour those involved.”

Brigadier Lowder added: “Having had the privilege as a young officer to meet some of the survivors of the 1st and 2nd Battalions and hear first hand their accounts of their experiences in the Far East, Hong Kong and in captivity, this 80th Anniversary of the end of the war against Japan was particularly poignant.

“The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) will never forget their service and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attend Legion Scotland VJ Day service

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH COMMEMORATE VJ DAY 80

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among a host of dignitaries and special guests who laid wreaths to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day yesterday (Friday).

Held within the Scottish National War Memorial, the Duke and Duchess attended the special service, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland and led by Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, and were joined by the Rt. Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Veterans, Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, National President, Royal British Legion Scotland, Colonel Patrick O’Meara QAM, Poppyscotland, Elaine Edwards, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Sue Raw, War Widows Association, among others.

As well as paying homage to those who lost their lives during the war, those in attendance heard the stories of World War II veterans Bill Ramage, Whitson Johnston and Jack Ransom, all of whom have since sadly died.

The trio had previously spoken about that day on 15 August, 1945, when Japan announced its surrender to the Allied forces and how it was met with relief and celebration that after six long years the war was finally over.

Also present at the event was Jenny Martin, whose mother was pregnant when she was captured by the Japanese in the fall of Singapore in 1942, and was born a Far East prisoner of war spending the first three years of her life in captivity.

Charmaine McMeekin, the daughter of British Army Officer and author of The Railway Man, Eric Lomax, and Nigel Robb, the son of Flt Sgt George Deuchar Robb from the 117 Sqn RAF, who flew Bristol Beaufighters in India were also in attendance.

Music was performed by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Edinburgh Voices choir and Piper, Ronan Gilchrist.

Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It’s hugely important that we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, a day that marked the end of six years of world war.

“We were honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in attendance, as well as World War II veterans and their families, especially in such a historic setting as the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.

“We hope others stop and take a moment of reflection today to remember the importance of VJ Day 80 years on.”

Armed Forces to mark VJ Day 80 with flypasts, music and commemorations around the world

VJ Day 80 celebrations will include flypasts, music and commemorations across the globe

The Armed Forces will lead the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day 80) with a series of spectacular ceremonies next week.

The military contribution to the commemorations will include:

  • Flypasts, musicians and a guard of honour at the Royal British Legion’s national commemorative event at the National Memorial Arboretum
  • A sunset ceremony and lightshow recognising the contribution of the Commonwealth to the Second World War on the eve of VJ Day
  • Performances by military bagpipers at dawn on VJ Day to mark 80 years since peace was restored to the Far East
  • A service of remembrance on board the flight deck of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, as the UK Carrier Strike Group continues its deployment to the Indo-Pacific

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “The bravery and sacrifice of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces during the Second World War continue to inspire us today.

“The nation will come together on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day to thank those who served and remember those who died.

Our UK Armed Forces today continue the legacy of the Greatest Generation – protecting the peace they secured through their courage and commitment across the world.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “The Armed Forces are proud to be at the heart of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day this month.

“The service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation continues to inspire the men and women of today’s Armed Forces.

“The alliances and partnerships forged during the Second World War – in NATO, the Commonwealth and in the Far East – still keep us safe today.”

Around 400 members of the Armed Forces will pay tribute to Second World War veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum for the national commemorative event hosted by the Royal British Legion (15 August).

The national event in Staffordshire will include a guard of honour of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force and flypasts by the Red Arrows and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The historic Second World War-era aircraft appearing during the ceremony will include The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

Gurkhas from the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas will also form part of the guard of honour in recognition of the contribution of 120,000 Gurkha soldiers during the Second World War, particularly in Malaya, Burma and Singapore.

The VJ Day 80 commemorations will begin on the evening of 14 August with a spectacular sunset ceremony at the Memorial Gates in London to pay tribute to Commonwealth personnel who served and died in the Far East.

An emotive lightshow projected on to the Memorial Gates, using images and stories from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s digital story-sharing platform For Evermore, will tell the story of people from around the world who served in support of the allies during the Far East campaign.

Lord Boateng, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council, will lay a wreath on behalf of HM The King during the ceremony.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Torch for Peace will be lit to close the ceremony, in a reminder of our shared commitment to peace and security.

The Ministry of Defence will also lead a moment of reflection at The Cenotaph, the United Kingdom’s national monument to UK and Commonwealth personnel who died in the world wars.

At dawn on VJ Day itself, military bagpipers will perform the lament Battle’s O’er at The Cenotaph, in the Far East section of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and at Edinburgh Castle.

The dawn lament will coincide with a remembrance moment at a Japanese peace garden to reflect the reconciliation which has taken place between the UK and Japan in the decades since the Second World War.

The simultaneous performances will be broadcast live in the UK at dawn as the nation gathers to mark 80 years of peace in the Far East and remember those who died during the campaign.

They will be joined in unison by military pipers performing in key locations around the world to recognise the contribution of communities across the Indo-Pacific to the Second World War, including on board HMS Prince of Wales, at sea in the Far East.

This includes performances by UK Armed Forces pipers in Japan, Nepal, Brunei and New Zealand.

The ship’s company of HMS Prince of Wales will hold a short service of remembrance on board the aircraft carrier’s flight deck, led by a Royal Navy chaplain and including a minute’s silence.

The aircraft carrier is currently leading the UK Carrier Strike Group on deployment to the Far East, where the flagship is leading a convoy of 12 allies to demonstrate their operational capability, bolster the UK’s commitment to NATO and to protect peace and prosperity in the region.

Armed Forces personnel on duty in the UK and on operations and exercises around the world will pause to mark the anniversary, remembering those who died and thanking veterans of the Second World War for their service.