VJ DAY commemorations took place across south Warwickshire to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
A service was held at St Margaret’s Church in Whitnash to commemorate Victory in Japan Day on Sunday August 10.
The following day Whitnash Town Council raised the Union flag and County flag to mark the occasion, with over 100 poppies placed on lampposts through the town.
A special commemorative flag was raised at Leamington Town Hall on Friday August 15 – the actual day of the anniversary – by Warwick District Council chairman Coun Naveen Tangri, with local mayors and representatives from the Royal British Legion.
Kenilworth Town Council and the Kenilworth Royal British Legion held a short service the same day at the town’s War Memorial at Abbey End.
And residents across south Warwickshire were encouraged to take part in the national two-minute silence at noon.
That evening St Mary’s Church in Warwick held a special bellringing tribute to honour those who served in the Far East. The tribute offered the chance to see and hear the bells rung full circle in the traditional English style, just as they were rung 80 years ago to celebrate peace.
Stratford Boat Club members marked VJ Day with a wreath laying and moment of reflection to remember those club members who died in world wars, other conflicts and especially the Far East.
Masters’ member Graham Cann laid a wreath on behalf of club members. Graham was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines Commandos during the Falklands War.
Stratford Town Council hosted a service of commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance in Old Town. It was attended by residents, the armed forces and town dignitaries and included a wreath laying.
They then joined the nation in the lighting of a beacon.
At the same time in Leamington, the Royal British Legion branch and All Saints Church held a service at the War Memorial on Euston Place.
This was followed by the lighting of the beacon at Newbold Comyn.
