Rochdale remembers on 75th anniversary of VJ Day

Organised by Rochdale & District Fusiliers’ Association, a ceremony was held at Rochdale Cenotaph on Saturday (15 August) to commemorate 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 Rochdale and Heywood.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136043/heywood-veterans-joined-by-mp-to-commemorate-vj-day
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136004/uk-to-observe-twominute-silence-to-commemorate-75th-anniversary-of-vj-day

Attendees gathered at Rochdale Memorial Gardens, before members of Rochdale & District Fusiliers’ Association marched onto the cenotaph bearing flags.

The Kohima Epitaph was recited by Tom Bailey and town centre chaplain, Reverend Margaret Smith, read the Burma Star Collect.

At 11am, the Last Post was sounded followed by Reveille - thanks to Bob Patterson who organised the music and PA facilities - before a laying of wreaths on the cenotaph by David Barber.

 

 

At the end of the service, vice president and vice chairman of Rochdale & District Fusiliers, John Rodgers (Jnr), spoke briefly about the Burma Campaign before attendees marched off the cenotaph at 11.15am. He read the following statement:

"As Europe celebrated the surrender of German forces on VE Day in May 1945, thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still fighting in the Far East. Conflict between Japan and Britain the Commonwealth, and its Allies and had raged across the Asia-Pacific region since 1941.

"Commonwealth forces came from around the globe; pre-partition India, Africa, Burma, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and the Fourteenth Army, (Britain and the Commonwealth’s largest fighting force) was one of the most diverse in history, with over 40 languages spoken, and less than 20% of those involved in fighting were born in the British Isles.

"Thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers suffered terrible mental and physical treatment as prisoners of war. Held in appalling conditions, the prisoners were subjected to brutal treatment in jails, mines and in makeshift jungle labour camps throughout South East Asia.

"After Japan ignored an ultimatum from the Allies to surrender, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"Six days after the bombs fell Japan announced its surrender on 15th August 1945, and the day was declared Victory over Japan Day.

"We will never forget you."

MP for Rochdale, Tony Lloyd was not able to attend the ceremony at the cenotaph but he also paid tribute to the British and Commonwealth troops that demonstrated unprecedented bravery and sacrifice in what is widely regarded as one of the war’s harshest theatres.

Mr Lloyd said: "Three quarters of a century after Victory over Japan, we continue to enjoy the hard-fought freedoms secured by the brave men and women in the Pacific theatre.

"My half-brother fought in that campaign, and I've also been privileged to know people who served there. Some are now no longer with us, but 99-year-old Albert Jones still recalls his time in the prisoner of war camp.

"The main message of VJ Day is that for many who served in the Japanese campaign, they did feel forgotten for many years, and 75 years on, we do remember them.

"For those who are now gone we recognise their service, and for those who are still with us, we thank them for that service.

"Harsh conditions, heavy casualties and some of the worst atrocities recorded enhance the need for us all to take a moment to pay the tribute to their efforts."