A reader letter - Remember VJ Day too

Undoubtedly VE Day was a momentous event and worthy of the recent 75th anniversary commemoration.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2020, 11:46 BST
Updated 15th May 2020, 11:46 BST
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However, we should not forget our Armed Forces who continued fighting in the Far East and South East Asia for a further three months until Japan agreed to an unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, VJ Day.

My father was an RAF radar technician stationed in India on May 8, 1945 and in his book Were you in the War Grandpa, by WJ Jackson, he recalls that, in contrast to the scenes in the UK, the celebrations there were somewhat subdued.

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He wrote: “On May 8, after a route march we were told of victory in Europe and given the rest of the day off.

10th August 1945: WAAFs link arms with soldiers during the VJ Day celebrations in Piccadilly Circus. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)10th August 1945: WAAFs link arms with soldiers during the VJ Day celebrations in Piccadilly Circus. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
10th August 1945: WAAFs link arms with soldiers during the VJ Day celebrations in Piccadilly Circus. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

“Next day there was a big Church Parade, after that nothing happened.”

Thankfully he arrived safely back in the UK in December 1946 and continued his military service until he was demobbed in October 1947.

Please can you include commemorative articles in an August edition of your newspaper to commemorate VJ Day in honour those who did not return.

RJ Jackson

Sydney Road, Crookesmoor

Related topics:Armed ForcesJapanIndiaRAFEurope