Queen leads 70th anniversary of VJ Day ceremonies

She was joined by other members of the royal family and former prisoners of war and veterans at a service St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, London.

A series of events commemorated the sacrifices of British Second World War forces who died defeating Japan.

Hundreds of veterans gathered on Horse Guards Parade for a Drumhead commemoration to celebrate Victory in Japan along with the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister.

Crowds applauded as a Dakota, Hurricane and a current RAF Typhoon fighter jet flew past in tribute to the sacrifice made by thousands of Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Second World War.

Terror threat

Security was ramped up today following reports of terror threats to London events.

Police warned the public to remain “vigilant and alert” after the Mail on Sunday reported an alleged terror plot targeting the Queen. Sky News said an undercover journalist was told by jihadists that VJ commemorations were a target.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the reported threat, with a spokeswoman saying they did not comment on security matters.

In addition to members of the public, veterans, their families and current members of the Armed Forces attended the services in honour of VJ Day.

Victory over Japan

While Victory over Europe (VE) Day ended on May 8 1945, there were continued tensions between the allies. It wasn’t until two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that the Japanese surrendered on August 15 of that year.

It was one of the worst episodes in British military history where tens of thousands of serviceman were prisoners of war. Britain suffered 90,332 casualties in the war against Japan of whom 29,968 died. Two and a half million people were sent to fight in the Far East.

Veteran Vic Knibb, 90, from Guildford, is vice chairman of the Burma Star Association. At the age of 18 joined the army and sailed from Liverpool to India.
Joining in on the VJ commemorations today, he said: “the memory of all those that didn’t come back”.

“That’s the important thing. That’s what this service is about. And this afternoon, it will be a celebration because we’re still here,” he added.

Forgotten army

Pauline Simpson, an organiser of the events from the National FEPOW Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association, said of the day: “I think it’s very important to the veterans because they feel that they’ve been treated as the forgotten army.

“Their comrades that fought in Europe came home in May 1945 and they came back to a huge welcome and celebration,” she said.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Cameron said: “I think it’s really important to mark this date and to honour the memory of those that died, the thousands that died, serving our country, preserving our freedoms.

“I think it’s also particularly important perhaps, this anniversary, where so many of the participants are now such a great age. I’m going to be laying a wreath with a 97-year-old hero from those times. I think it’s very poignant and right that we’re doing this.”