Stalybridge remembers VJ Day

A special gathering of remembrance took place last Saturday at Stalybridge War Memorial to commemorate Victory in Japan Day.

It was exactly 75 years ago on August 15 that Japan surrendered after the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought an end to the Second World War.

With most services and celebrations centred around VE Day in May, VJ Day is too often forgotten and families of veterans who fought or who were taken prisoner in the Far East are keen to keep their memories and achievements alive, for without their great sacrifice the war would not have been won. 

Lynne Scott and Alan Mercer, whose fathers were both taken prisoner by the Japanese, and whose stories we shared last week, attended the gathering.

MP Jonathan Reynolds also attended to lay a wreath on behalf of constituents at the event.

“Thank you to the Royal British Legion and Friends of Stalybridge War Memorial for an organised small, distanced, but very moving ceremony,” he stated.

The commemoration included a rendition of The Last Post and readings.

Images by Nigel Wood