Wreath laying and services have taken place today (August 15) to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day.
VJ Day marks the end of World War II in the Pacific theatre, when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces on August 15, 1945.
In Margate, town mayor Katie Pope was among those to lay a wreath in memory of all those lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb attacks. A two minute silence was observed at midday.
In Westgate a Service of Commemoration took place at the War Memorial on Sea Road.
Residents were then invited to enjoy tea and biscuits at Christ Church United Reformed Church on Westgate Bay Avenue after the service.
A spokesperson for WTC said: “Our thanks go to Rev Susan Wing for a moving service and to Christ Church URC for welcoming us back for tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes.”
In Birchington a flag raising ceremony was held on Dog Acre, followed by another flag raising ceremony in The Square.
There was also a short service at the War Memorial in the Square conducted by the Rev. Mark Ham of All Saints Church.
In Ramsgate the town council raised the VJ flag this morning and it will remain in place until Monday.
At Ramsgate Tunnels there is a small display within its museum commemorating Ken Almond, a man from Ramsgate who served with the 14th Army in Burma (Myanmar) and was declared missing in action in 1944.
HMS Relentless
The Tunnels will also welcome Joe Ellwood from the HMS Relentless Association, who will be bringing his pop-up display to the site. He will be on hand to share the story of HMS Relentless, a frigate that served in South East Asia during the Second World War, covering her history and life on board.
The HMS Relentless Association will be in Ramsgate Tunnels from Friday 15 August until Sunday 17th August with a model of the ship and personal stories of life on board during the campaign in the Far East. You will also find a wealth of other information about RELENTLESS: incidents from WW2, the 1945 Mutiny, and the 1954 collision with HMS VIGILANT. What was a Bahamas, or a Beira Patrol like, and why did we do them?
The Long Road to Peace: Ramsgate and VJ Day
Tunnels Historian, Isaac Naylor, will be giving a free talk on Sunday 17th August at 4:30pm: ‘The Long Road to Peace: Ramsgate and VJ Day.’
Eighty years after Victory Over Japan Day heralded the end of the Second World War, this commemorative display and talk reflects on Ramsgate’s connection to a theatre of the conflict often overlooked. Drawing on newly researched biographical accounts, the talk will honour the lives of local servicemen who fought – and fell – in Southeast Asia, and explore how their sacrifice, and the wider impact of the conflict, shaped the life of the town.
This poignant anniversary offers not only a moment to honour the fallen but also an opportunity to understand the far-reaching impact of global conflict on local lives.
Although tickets are free, please book your place.
This talk deals with adult themes and may not be suitable for a younger audience.
To book tickets, follow this link: https://ramsgatetunnels.merlintickets.co.uk/product/EVNT00001
Stolen and vandalised displays
Sadly in Cliffsend the anniversary has been marred by the theft and the vandalism of two of the remembrance silhouettes created by parish councillor Beryl Harrison.
The 86-year-old made and painted the silhouettes despite having had a broken arm and shoulder since December. The figures included Tommy soldiers and animals who gave service in the war.
They were on display at Canterbury Road West, Baker’s Field, St Augustine’s Cross and Chalk Hill.
The Tommy by St Augustine’s Cross has been vandalised and thrown on the ground. The one by the traffic lights on Canterbury Road West has been stolen.
Cllr John Davis says given the large size and heaviness of the stolen silhouette, a vehicle must have been used to remove it.
In Birchington four commemorative VJ 80 plaques placed on the railings of the Birchington and Acol War Memorial in The Square were vandalised. Two were forcibly removed and two were spun around damaging them.
Volunteer Brian Faulkner replaced and secured them and CCTV cameras are now monitoring this area.
So sad to read of the vandalism. People try to do something for the community and then others come along and destroy it.
No mention of the raising of the flag at Ramsgate Bandstand in the report?
Looked for Ramsgate details but didn’t see them other than Tunnels info. Will look again
Send the perpetrators to jail, or
make them join the armed forces, for the same amount of time the war lasted. No wages, food or board, or everything else, take the money it will cost from their their bank or make their relatives pay.
I absolutely loved the Silhouettes in Cliffsend – thank you Beryl .
Beyond disgusted to read of reported vandalism . If this was planned &/ or random – what ever things that did this are simply unwanted , unwelcome , rubbish , their mothers ( fathers if had any ) must be so proud .May Karma promptly visit them .
Once again Beryl thank you , hope the shoulder is healing .There are more decent people ,than these rubbish vandals- who will not win any campaign of spite .
I absolutely loved the Silhouettes in Cliffsend – thank you Beryl .
Beyond disgusted to read of reported vandalism . If this was planned &/ or random – what ever things that did this are simply unwanted , unwelcome , rubbish , their mothers ( fathers if had any ) must be so proud .May Karma promptly visit them .
Once again Beryl thank you , hope the shoulder is healing .There are more decent people ,than these rubbish vandals- who will not win any campaign of spite .
Birch (verb)
This is criminal damage, and one more example of the lawlessness, and anti social behaviour that is becoming all too normal today! I hope the police are taking this seriously, and checking CCTV or whatever to catch the morons responsible!