Here is a VJ Day message from the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Christopher Kettle - https://youtu.be/k374h2l1hkE
On the 15th August we commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ day, four months after VE day, which marked the final end of the second world war, a war which involved at least twenty five countries and resulted in between 55 and 59 million casualties. For the first time in a war, military deaths were outnumbered by civilian deaths being approximately two thirds of the total. In the pacific campaign civilian casualties were even higher proportion.
Although to many in Great Britain it was far away, and sometimes apparently forgotten, the Pacific campaign covered a large portion of the Pacific Ocean, East and Southeast Asia, from as far south as northern Australia to the Aleutian Islands in the North.
The war ended following the decision by the Allies to use, for the first time, atomic weapons, at a dreadful human cost, and ushered the world into a terrifying new age. Nevertheless, the use of those two atomic bombs ended the deadliest of all wars swiftly, with, given the casualties already incurred, far fewer deaths than any alternative.
So on the 15th we will commemorate, without, as a result of the pandemic, any fanfare, the end of a truly dreadful conflict and whilst the numbers who remember that conflict are few, the sacrifice of those involved whether military or civilian in Europe or Asia must never be forgotten and must be an everlasting lesson of the importance of dialogue and peace rather than the alternative
On behalf of the members and staff of Stratford District Council and the residents of the District let us thank all those from this area for their sacrifices on this VE day and pray for peace.
Cllr Christopher Kettle
Chairman of Stratford District Council
The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, will lead the UK in a national moment of remembrance and thanksgiving for all those who served in the Far East at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of a special televised service.
There will be a two minute silence at 11am.
