Veterans mark VJ Day anniversary with services in Banbury and surrounding villages

This year marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered from World War Two, marking the end of the conflict.

Victory over Japan Day takes place every year on August 15 in the UK and this year celebrations will be a little different due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Early on Saturday morning August 15 a small group of five veterans held a service at the War Memorial, Peoples Park Banbury to mark VJ Day

The veterans paid their respects to those who served in the far east, who gave their lives and who were used as slave labour by the Japanese.

Kieron Mallon, formally Irish Guards, who laid the wreath and led the service said: "We gather around this memorial today to remember and to commend to God those who left their homes in Banbury and its villages. Those who served and those who gave their lives in the war in the Far East against Japan. We remember those who came home with life changing injuries to mind and body, scared both mentally and physically by the effects of war and imprisonment.

"We also remember the families who cared for those who returned and mourned those who did not."

The service started like other services across the country with ‘Battles O’er played on the pipes. In Banbury, the bagpipes were played by Pipe Major Steve Duffy, formerly Scots Guards.

The ode was delivered by Mr. Chris Smithson formerly Royal Signals. Last post was Donald Blue on the pipes and the lament was The Flowers of the Forest.

The abbreviated 10-minute service followed all government guidelines and social distancing took place.

Cllr Mallon added: “Banbury has a direct link as the local county cavalry regiment, The Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars, Banbury Battery were sent in 1941 to defend Singapore. These local soldiers were used on the infamous Burma railway for the rest of the war, resulting in a high number of deaths and life changing injuries to both mind and body."

A remembrance service was also held in the village of Middleton Cheney.

The Middleton Cheney and District RBL Branch President Peter Cook, layed the wreath. Graham Brown served as the standard bearer and the service was organised by Richard Solesbury-Timms, the branch chair and parish councillor. Ashley Timms the youngest member and youth standard bearer for the branch also joined the service.

The late Tom Turvey and the late Doug Penny form Middleton Cheney were some of those to receive the Burma star Medal.

The Middleton Cheney service was also accompanied by the international Highlander Bagpiper Richard Jaspa, who is a member of the MC and District RBL Branch.