75th anniversary of VJ Day commemorated in Heywood

Members of Heywood Veterans Association were joined by Chris Clarkson, MP for Heywood and Middleton and Heywood township officers at a socially distanced gathering on Saturday 15 August, commemorating the 75th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day.

Whilst VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East, known as the Burma Campaign. VJ Day marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.

Remembering and thanking all those from the many nations who fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today; tributes took place across the UK over the weekend including in Heywood and Rochdale.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136045/rochdale-remembers-on-75th-anniversary-of-vj-day
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136004/uk-to-observe-twominute-silence-to-commemorate-75th-anniversary-of-vj-day

At 12noon, a small group gathered at the remembrance gardens in Heywood to lay wreathes and observe a two-minute silence. Prayers of remembrance were offered, and flags were presented by members of the Heywood Veterans Association at the moving ceremony.

A new commemorative installation outside the Phoenix and Civic Centres in Heywood was also in place in time for the VJ Day anniversary. 

The installation includes a collection striking benches which have been carefully designed by Councillor McCarthy and Martin Orson from the Heywood Veterans Association, with support and funding from the Heywood Township, to reflect Heywood’s connections to the historical events.

 

 

Speaking after the service, Mr Orson from the Heywood Veterans Association said: “As the Heywood Veterans Association we feel it is of the utmost importance to represent and show our appreciation for all of those who lost their lives in both the Second World War and Operation Banner and in these unprecedented times it is important to show that we remember them and show our community spirit is as strong as ever.”

Speaking at the event, Chris Clarkson MP, said: “Today’s event was both subtle and moving, a dignified remembrance both for those who made the supreme sacrifice and those who returned home having served in one of the wars most brutal conflicts with trauma that many would never speak of again.

“It is right that Heywood acknowledges the connections that it has to these events and those who served, and that we always remember. This new installation is a fitting reminder of those brave people and what they did for all of us and I am glad that we have added this poignant addition to our town, which is very much in keeping with other local features. 

“Councillor McCarthy, Mr Orson and all those involved in this project have done an excellent job and the feedback that I have had from local people has been extremely positive.”