Gerald Jones MP with Welsh Armed Forces veteran Chris Heaton at an event in Parliament supporting the Royal British Legion in Wales, September 2019
Gerald Jones MP with Welsh Armed Forces veteran Chris Heaton at an event in Parliament supporting the Royal British Legion in Wales, September 2019

Gerald Jones, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, is calling for communities across Wales to come together – while respecting coronavirus regulations – to remember British and Commonwealth Forces on the historic 75th anniversary of VJ Day this Saturday, 15th August.

On Saturday the UK will mark the 75th anniversary of VJ, or Victory in Japan Day, the day that Japan surrendered in the Second World War and ultimately brought it to an end.

To mark the anniversary the Royal British Legion is delivering a number of activities including a national two-minute silence at 11am, a Service of Commemoration led by the Prince of Wales and an online interactive VJ Day map, and Gerald is encouraging people across all generations and communities in Wales to take part and remember all those who served in the Far East to help bring the War to an end.

The Service of Commemoration, led by Prince Charles, will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and broadcast live on BBC One, and the interactive VJ Day map will tell stories and personal accounts from those who lived through the conflict.

Gerald is calling on people from across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and the country to unite in recognition of VJ Day and mark the historic anniversary as a nation, commenting:

“It was uplifting to see people from all generations mark the historic anniversary of Victory in Europe in May, but we must not forget VJ Day, and the immeasurable sacrifices made by British and Commonwealth Forces to finally bring the Second World War to an end on 15th August 1945.

 

“These servicemen and women gave everything for our country, in extremely difficult conditions in the Far East, and their contribution in helping to bring about the peace and the freedom we enjoy today must never be forgotten.

 

“Although the ongoing pandemic means we may not be able to celebrate the brave men and women who served in the Far East in the way we would have planned to, we can still mark the historic day and take some time to remember, and I want to encourage everyone to get involved in any way you can to pay tribute and ensure they are never forgotten.”

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search