75th anniversary of VJ day to be marked in Moray
Next Saturday is VJ Day, the 75th anniversary of victory over Japan that finally ended WW2.
The new prime minister at the time, Clement Atlee, declared that ‘the last of our enemies is laid low’, prompting nationwide celebrations.
A nationwide two-minute silence will be led by Prince Charles at 11am on the day.
Lord – Lieutenant of Moray Major General Seymour Monro, said: “VJ Day was not celebrated with the same national exuberance as VE Day – perhaps because the major and closer threat to the UK had always been from Germany.
“Because this year’s VE Day commemorations in May was a rather muted affair to comply with COVID-19 restrictions in force, I believe it is important that we take the opportunity to commemorate VJ Day on August 15 as best we can.
“We should remember all of those who fought against the Japanese in the Far East and reflect on the extreme sacrifices so many brave men made. Many of those men came from Moray. We should also remember the many civilians who were caught up in the Japanese advance and were put in prison camps for the rest of the war.”
The grand-daughter of Sir Mark Young, Governor of Hong Kong governor at the time of Japanese occupation, is Deputy Lieutenant Joanna Grant Peterkin of Grange, Forres. She will be leading the commemorations in Forres.
Alongside some nationwide commemorations, in Moray there will be short services at 1100 am at the war memorials on the Plainstones in Elgin and in Forres.
These commemorations will be led by members of the Lieutenancy, Moray Council, local armed forces representatives, the Royal British Legion Scotland, the Queen’s Own Highlander’s Regimental Association and the police. There will be a chaplain and a piper at both events.
Pipers around Moray are encouraged to play ‘The Battle’s O’er’ and ‘VE 75’ at 1100. Communities may wish to commemorate this significant event as they feel able to within the constraints of the COVID 19 restrictions.
More details of the national arrangements are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-family-to-lead-tributes-marking-vj-day-75