London: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II led commemorations yesterday marking the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, joining veterans and former prisoners of war for a service in London.
Under a heavy security presence, crowds lined the central London streets to watch the events on big screens and cheer on veterans as the country remembered the Victory over Japan, which ended World War II.
Later, the heir to the throne Prince Charles was the guest of honour for a special event which began with a flypast of four historic aircraft, including a Spitfire and a Hurricane.
The commemoration included a service and a wreath-laying ceremony, special readings, and hymns sung by a male voice choir.
Renowned British actor Charles Dance — star of Game of Thrones — also read Rudyard Kipling’s poem The Road to Mandalay, which, when put to music, was a favourite marching tune for British soldiers fighting against the Japanese in Burma, under the commanded of Field Marshal William Slim.
“When the Second World War ended in Europe... British and Commonwealth military personnel and civilians in the Far East were still at war, still on the frontline and still in prisoner of war camps,” said Dance.
AFP
