Bolton is preparing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, marking the end of the Second World War, with a series of public events and services. This year holds particular significance as communities across the United Kingdom are encouraged to organise activities to remember the sacrifices made during this pivotal period in history.
VJ Day, observed annually on August 15th, commemorates Japan’s surrender in 1945, which officially brought the Second World War to a close. While Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May 1945 marked the end of the war closer to home, thousands of British armed forces personnel remained engaged in fierce fighting in the Far East.
Bolton’s Commemorative Events
Bolton will host a series of events to mark this important anniversary. Victoria Square and the town hall steps will be adorned with decorations in anticipation of a public service commencing at 10:50 am in the square.
A second service is scheduled to take place later in the day at Bolton Parish Church at 7:30 pm. Throughout the day, Bolton Market Food Hall will host a family-friendly celebration from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, featuring activities such as face painting, children’s crafts, magic performances, and live musical entertainment from Flat Cap 3, who will be playing popular tunes spanning the decades.
Cllr Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for culture, emphasised the significance of the occasion: “The 80th anniversary of VJ Day will be a day of celebration, but also an opportunity for the community to come together and pay tribute to the Second World War generation. Bolton always turns out in force for these events, and I urge everyone to come along and take part.”
The King’s Address to the Nation
His Majesty The King addressed the nation, acknowledging the “courage and camaraderie” of the heroes who fought in the Pacific and Far East during what he described as “humanity’s darkest hour,” a flame that “shall blaze for eternity.”
The King also recognised the immense devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, events that ultimately led to Japan’s surrender. He described the “immense price” paid by the citizens of those cities, expressing hope that no nation would ever have to endure such suffering again. This reflection on the nuclear attacks comes at a time of heightened global concern regarding the threat of nuclear conflict.
In his audio message, broadcast to the nation, realms, and Commonwealth, The King spoke of the horrors endured by Allied prisoners of war, “who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance,” and the “mental and physical scars” that the war inflicted upon survivors.
He vowed that the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes “shall never be forgotten,” assuring their families and the “sadly dwindling band of veterans”: “Please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity’s darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honours our past and guides our future.”
The King’s address included what is believed to be the most direct reference by a British monarch to the suffering in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, stating that it was right to pause and acknowledge the impact of the “war’s final act” on the people of those Japanese cities.
“Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too,” he added. “Their experience reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all-too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today. On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war’s final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.”
He concluded by saying, “But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory.”
Remembering the Forgotten Army
While much of the celebration in 1945 focused on VE Day, those who served in the Far East were often referred to as “The Forgotten Army.” The King’s address sought to redress this historical oversight, highlighting the unique challenges and sacrifices faced by those who fought in the Pacific theatre.
The King’s six-minute address preceded a national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, attended by Charles, the Queen, and the Prime Minister. Thirty-three veterans, aged 96 to 105, who served in the Far East and Pacific, were present as guests of honour.
A national two-minute silence was observed at noon, followed by a flypast featuring the Red Arrows alongside historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft.
The Scale of Sacrifice
By 1945, approximately 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops had been deployed across Asia and the Pacific. More than 90,000 British troops became casualties in the war against Japan, with nearly 30,000 losing their lives. Over 12,000 Britons were among the 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese.
The United States suffered the greatest losses among the Allied forces, with over 100,000 killed in action. In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the US atomic bombs resulted in the deaths of more than 200,000 people, with many more succumbing to radiation sickness, burns, and other severe injuries in the months that followed.
Lessons for the Future
The King described the 80th anniversary as a day of “profound remembrance,” referencing his grandfather King George VI’s “The war is ended” broadcast: “Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom’s new dawn.”
He also evoked the image of “high above those monsoon-lashed jungles, allied pilots displayed their own fearless bravery, flying fighters, bombers and transport aircraft into enemy fire and nature’s fury.”
The King’s address also paid tribute to his mentor and great uncle, Earl Mountbatten, who, as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command, oversaw the defeat of the Japanese offensive towards India. He recalled how Lord Mountbatten had taught him about the “horrors and heroism” of the conflict.
Charles spoke of the “mental and physical scars” left by the conflict on those who survived. “Twenty-Nine Victoria Crosses bear eloquent testimony to their valour, but I know full well of the toll it took on so many – measured not only in gravestones, but in the mental and physical scars of those who survived,” he said.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of collaboration across faiths and cultural divides: “Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link. That remains a vital lesson for our times.”