65th anniversary of VJ Day
Prime Minister David Cameron has attended a service to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day)
The service which took place at the Cenotaph this afternoon was also attended by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, representatives of the three military Services, hundreds of veterans of the conflict and members of World War II associations.
The service remembered the efforts of hundreds of thousands of veterans operating in the harshest of conditions, and paid tribute to nearly 30,000 British losses suffered during the Far East campaign, some 12,500 who died while prisoners of war.
The PM, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Government, said:
We must never forget the sacrifices made and the dedication showed by those who served our country in the Second World War. They fought and suffered around the world in ferocious conditions.
They witnessed incomprehensible horrors. They lost their lives - and many were imprisoned. And they did all this for us - to protect the freedoms we all enjoy today. VJ Day, the day the Second World War ended, is a time for this generation to reflect and show its gratitude to our veterans for their bravery, dedication and sacrifice.