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WATCH: Hyde residents hold VJ Day street party

Victory in Japan Day was celebrated in Hyde last Saturday, as the Primrose Avenue community came together to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Key organiser Lynne Scott was behind the VE-Day style celebrations, determined to keep the memory of VJ Day alive in honour of her own father who was a POW, taken prisoner by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore - and all those who fought in the Far East.

We shared the fascinating story of Lynne’s father with readers last week along with that of John Mercer, whose father Alan was also taken captive by the Japanese

After the celebrations for VE Day, held in May to mark the end of the war in Europe against Germany, Lynne explained that VJ Day is all too often forgotten, yet tens of thousands of Allied forces were still involved in the fighting in the Far East with many thousands more held prisoner - like her father - in appalling conditions.

“They were the forgotten army,” said Lynne.

The VJ Day 75 celebrations were all safely socially distanced, with food, flags, singing and dancing, plus a rendition of the Last Post played at 3pm.

Some 30 residents participated to make the day a memorable one and there was 40s music plus a game of quoit, with the weather holding throughout the celebrations which continued from 1pm to around 7pm.

Video by Nigel Wood

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