News

VJ Day 80 – Lest we forget

This week, people across the country and around the world will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day - when the Second World War finally came to an end.

Following the celebrations of VE Day in May 1945, fighting continued in the Far East for several more months, bringing further hardship and loss to those in uniform and their loved ones at home. On 15 August 1945, after six years of global conflict, peace was finally declared  and the world began the long journey to recovery.

VJ Day reminds us that the war’s conclusion was far from swift or simple. British and Allied troops serving in the Far East and the Pacific continued to endure exceptionally harsh conditions, fierce combat, and in many cases captivity and forced labour.  

The physical and mental toll was immense, combining the brutality of war with monsoons, tropical disease, severe supply shortages, and years of  separation from home.

This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise all who served in the Far East, including the thousands from across the Commonwealth. From the jungles of Burma to the islands of the Pacific, their resolve played a decisive role in ending one of the most devastating conflicts in human history.

Also remembered are the families waiting anxiously at home, many of whom had already endured years of fear, loss and uncertainty. For them, VJ Day brought both relief and renewed sorrow as the full scale of the suffering in the Far East emerged.

For those who returned, the end of the war did not bring an end to its impact. Many carried the effects with them for the rest of their lives, often in silence. Their experience shaped not just their futures, but those of their families and communities.

The close of the war marked the beginning of another challenge: rebuilding. Returning to civilian life was rarely straightforward. Recovery took time, perseverance, and a collective will to move forward.

On Friday I will attend the VJ Day 80th Anniversary service, which will be held at the at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle. I will take time to reflect and give thanks for the Service, courage and sacrifice of British, Allied and Commonwealth forces which brought about the end of the war.

As war again casts a shadow over Europe, global tensions rise, and the bonds of old alliances are tested, their example is more relevant than ever. We must remember what they achieved together - the spirit of international cooperation they forged, and the extraordinary efforts made by the UK and its allies to bring about peace.

As the nation marks this anniversary, we can honour their legacy through renewed commitment to our veterans and Service personnel of today, and by working to ensure veterans and their families are recognised, supported, and never disadvantaged as a result of their service.