11 August 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

An act of remembrance for the 70th anniversary of  VJ  (Victory Over Japan) Day will be held on Saturday 15th of August.

The ceremony will take place at the War Memorial in the High Street at 3 pm. However the High Street will be closed to traffic fro 14.50 to 15.20

The East Grinstead branch of the Royal British Legion supported by East Grinstead Town Council will hold an act of Remembrance for this 70th anniversary.

Wreaths will be laid by Mrs Margaret Collins (Deputy lieutenant)  Cllr Dick Sweatman (Town Mayor) and representatives from the British Legion.

While the war in Europe ended in early May 1945 it continued in the Far East. The Japanese finally surrendered on 14 August 1945 following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria.

The next day, Wednesday 15 August 1945 was celebrated as VJ (Victory over Japan) Day