St Albans Mayor leads VJ Day 80 commemoration
St Albans Mayor, Councillor Teresa Heritage, has led a moving ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.
She was joined at the City’s War Memorial on Friday 15 August by other Councillors, Honorary Aldermen and senior Council officers.
Royal British Legion veterans, Burma Star Association representatives and around 30 residents also attended the event to pay their respects to the fallen.
Japan surrendered to Allied forces, bringing an end to the Second World War, on 15 August 1945.
The Town Crier, Stephen Potter, read a proclamation to honour the courage of those who perished in the conflict in the Far East.
The Rev’d Vanessa Jefferson, Minor Canon Precentor at St Albans Cathedral, then said prayers and led a two-minute silence at noon which was held throughout the country.
Cllr Heritage laid a wreath at the memorial as did Patricia Bennett and May Welch from the Burma Star Association.
In a further show of respect and commemoration, the Union flag was flown from St Albans Museum + Gallery,
Cllr Heritage, the Mayor of St Albans City and District, said after the ceremony:
It is a great honour to lead the District’s commemoration of VJ Day 80.
I am very thankful to all those who took the time and trouble to attend the service and it was pleasing to see so many of our residents there.
It was our community’s way of coming together to remember the suffering and courage of all those who fought against the Japanese in Burma, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. We shall never forget.
The Mayor added:
The Burma Star Association has a memorial at St Peter’s Church which was refurbished two years ago and I would urge people to go and have a look at it and reflect on the importance of VJ Day.
Photos: above, from the left, John Gauthier, Royal British Legion veteran, Rev'd Vanessa Jefferson, Minor Canon Precentor of St Albans Cathedral, Mayor Teresa Heritage, Town Crier Stephen Potter, and the Mayor's Consort Cllr David Heritage. Below, the Mayor, centre, with Patricia Bennett, left, and Mary Welch, right, from the Burma Star Association; and the Mayor laying a wreath at the war memorial
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727-819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.