Wakefield Council marks VJ Day

Wakefield Council is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on Friday 15 August.

This marks the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces, ending the second world war. It came just days after atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on 6 and 9 August. 

Cllr Josie Pritchard, Wakefield Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “On VJ Day, we reflect on the heavy price paid by so many in the pursuit of the freedom that we enjoy today. We encourage our community to come together to remember those who fought in the Far East. And to honour and show our gratitude to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

At the end of hostilities, 365,000 British service personnel were in the Far East, alongside over one and a half million troops from the Commonwealth. Of those serving in the United Kingdom Armed Forces, close to 30,000 died in the war against Japan. 37,500 were held as prisoners of war, and thousands more were wounded.  The US suffered the worst casualties of the Allied Forces in Asia and the Pacific, losing over 100,000 troops.  And, of the 580,000 Commonwealth personnel who lost their lives in the Second World War, more than 15,100 of these fell between Victory in Europe (VE) Day 8 May and VJ Day.  

In recognition of all those who served in the Far East and lost their lives during the Second World War, a service will be held at Wakefield War Memorial.  The Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Maureen Tennant-King, the Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Josie Pritchard, and the Deputy Leader, Cllr Jack Hemingway, will lay wreaths. And a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am.

Everyone is welcome to join the service, which starts at 10.50am.

Find out more at VJ Day – VE Day and VJ Day 80