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VJ Day: Queen leads 70th anniversary commemorations VJ Day: Veterans at 70th anniversary commemorations
(35 minutes later)
The Queen is leading events to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered and World War Two ended. Veterans of World War Two are taking part in events to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered and the war ended.
She and the Duke of Edinburgh joined the PM and former prisoners of war at a remembrance service at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. A memorial event is being held in Horse Guards Parade, attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
The Reverend Dr Sam Wells said that people had "lost life, limb and liberty that we might know peace". The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh earlier joined the PM and former prisoners of war at a remembrance service at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London.
A service is being held in Horse Guards Parade, to be followed by a flypast and march by veterans of the Far East. David Cameron said it was important to "honour the memory of those that died".
Prime Minister David Cameron said it was important to "honour the memory of those that died, the thousands that died, serving our country, preserving our freedoms".
And in Tokyo, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito observed a minute's silence at a service.And in Tokyo, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito observed a minute's silence at a service.
The service at St Martin-in-the-Fields remembered the estimated 71,000 British and Commonwealth casualties of the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity. On Horse Guards Parade, veterans and their families watched a fly-past of historic aircraft - a Spitfire, Dakota and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Royal Navy Swordfish, together with a current RAF Typhoon fighter jet.
Dr Wells, vicar of the church, told the congregation: "The struggles, the suffering and the sacrifice of the war in the Far East are a defining experience in our nation's history. Actor Charles Dance read the poem The Road to Mandalay, by Rudyard Kipling.
"We stand in awe of those who were tried in ways beyond what most of us ever have to go through and greater than many of us can ever imagine. The poem was set to music and became a favourite marching tune for many in the 14th Army in Burma, now known as Myanmar.
"People who lost life, limb and liberty that we might know peace."
From the sceneFrom the scene
By BBC correspondent Robert PigottBy BBC correspondent Robert Pigott
The service at St Martin-in-the-Fields was a poignant commemoration of those who died in the war against Japan.The service at St Martin-in-the-Fields was a poignant commemoration of those who died in the war against Japan.
Many of the thinning ranks of veterans of the conflict arrived in wheelchairs, medals glistening in the watery sunshine.Many of the thinning ranks of veterans of the conflict arrived in wheelchairs, medals glistening in the watery sunshine.
With survivors of the conflict now in their 90s the day has the feeling of a last hurrah.With survivors of the conflict now in their 90s the day has the feeling of a last hurrah.
There were stirring hymns, a piped lament, and moving readings, including a recitation of the Kohima Epitaph by 92-year-old John Giddings who fought in the Far East, "when you go home tell them of us, and say for your tomorrow we gave our today".There were stirring hymns, a piped lament, and moving readings, including a recitation of the Kohima Epitaph by 92-year-old John Giddings who fought in the Far East, "when you go home tell them of us, and say for your tomorrow we gave our today".
After the service veterans recalled friends lost in the Far East and still grieved to this day.After the service veterans recalled friends lost in the Far East and still grieved to this day.
But the mood lifted as they emerged into bright sunshine in Trafalgar Square, to the ringing of church bells, and began to celebrate still being, as one put it, "alive and kicking".But the mood lifted as they emerged into bright sunshine in Trafalgar Square, to the ringing of church bells, and began to celebrate still being, as one put it, "alive and kicking".
The service at St Martin-in-the-Fields remembered the estimated 71,000 British and Commonwealth casualties of the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity.
The Reverend Dr Sam Wells, vicar of the church, told the congregation: "The struggles, the suffering and the sacrifice of the war in the Far East are a defining experience in our nation's history.
"We stand in awe of those who were tried in ways beyond what most of us ever have to go through and greater than many of us can ever imagine.
"People who lost life, limb and liberty that we might know peace."
Bishop to the Armed Forces Nigel Stock, whose uncle was a prisoner of war, delivered the sermon, saying "we remember as we need to be reminded of what the human spirit can achieve".Bishop to the Armed Forces Nigel Stock, whose uncle was a prisoner of war, delivered the sermon, saying "we remember as we need to be reminded of what the human spirit can achieve".
And former prisoner of war Maurice Naylor spoke at the service, saying it was an honour to be joined by the Queen - "a veteran herself" - and members of her family.And former prisoner of war Maurice Naylor spoke at the service, saying it was an honour to be joined by the Queen - "a veteran herself" - and members of her family.
He said: "How do I feel now? I feel lucky to have survived so long and still be able to address you. I feel sad for the families of those who died as a result of their captivity."He said: "How do I feel now? I feel lucky to have survived so long and still be able to address you. I feel sad for the families of those who died as a result of their captivity."
Wreaths were laid at the church's memorial to Far Eastern prisoners of war during the service, with a minute's silence and the playing of the last post.Wreaths were laid at the church's memorial to Far Eastern prisoners of war during the service, with a minute's silence and the playing of the last post.
After the service, the Queen spoke to veterans outside the church, which is off Trafalgar Square. Some 50 former prisoners of war attended the event.After the service, the Queen spoke to veterans outside the church, which is off Trafalgar Square. Some 50 former prisoners of war attended the event.
Bob Hucklesby, 94, told the BBC of the importance of remembering the "many young men in their prime who never came home, and who suffered terrible conditions before they died".Bob Hucklesby, 94, told the BBC of the importance of remembering the "many young men in their prime who never came home, and who suffered terrible conditions before they died".
In London, wreaths were also laid at statues of Lord Mountbatten, who was Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia Command, and Field Marshall Slim, commander of the 14th Army in Burma.In London, wreaths were also laid at statues of Lord Mountbatten, who was Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia Command, and Field Marshall Slim, commander of the 14th Army in Burma.
Although fighting in Europe ended in May 1945, the battle between the Allies and Japan continued.Although fighting in Europe ended in May 1945, the battle between the Allies and Japan continued.
It was only after two atomic bombs were dropped on the country that the Japanese surrendered on 15 August that year.It was only after two atomic bombs were dropped on the country that the Japanese surrendered on 15 August that year.
It ended one of the worst episodes in British military history, during which tens of thousands of servicemen were forced to endure the brutalities of prisoner of war camps, where disease was rife and there was a lack of food and water.It ended one of the worst episodes in British military history, during which tens of thousands of servicemen were forced to endure the brutalities of prisoner of war camps, where disease was rife and there was a lack of food and water.
In Japan, Mr Abe expressed "profound grief" at his country's actions in WW2.In Japan, Mr Abe expressed "profound grief" at his country's actions in WW2.
But he faced criticism from South Korea and China who said Japan had failed to properly atone for its actions and Mr Abe's remarks "left much to be desired".But he faced criticism from South Korea and China who said Japan had failed to properly atone for its actions and Mr Abe's remarks "left much to be desired".
The fly-past of WW2 aircraft in Horse Guards Parade is being attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Veterans and civilian prisoners will later parade down Whitehall, accompanied by marching bands, to a reception in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
Veterans and civilian prisoners will then parade down Whitehall, accompanied by marching bands, to a reception in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
War veterans who experienced the atrocities leading up to VJ Day are among those taking part in Saturday's commemorations.War veterans who experienced the atrocities leading up to VJ Day are among those taking part in Saturday's commemorations.
Vic Knibb, 90, who served in Burma in World War Two and is vice chairman of the Burma Star Association, told BBC Radio 5 live his diary from the time bears a bullet hole from where he was nearly shot.Vic Knibb, 90, who served in Burma in World War Two and is vice chairman of the Burma Star Association, told BBC Radio 5 live his diary from the time bears a bullet hole from where he was nearly shot.
He said he was attending the service in London to "remember those prisoners of war and all those that died and gave their lives", and would then be parading this afternoon "to celebrate the fact that we survived and got back home". He said he was attending the service in London to "remember those prisoners of war and all those that died and gave their lives".
Others recalled their time in the camps. Former prisoner of war Fergus Anckorn told BBC News he had had to eat "grass, leaves, scorpions, maggots, mice" while he was held captive in Singapore for nearly four years. He said he used to have nightmares about his time in captivity.
A number of services have been taking place across the UK on Saturday, including at:A number of services have been taking place across the UK on Saturday, including at:
A service will be held at the Far East Prisoner of War Memorial Building at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.A service will be held at the Far East Prisoner of War Memorial Building at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.
Further readingFurther reading
WWII: History's most savage and devastating warWWII: History's most savage and devastating war
What's the secret code that helped win WWII?What's the secret code that helped win WWII?
Countdown to Hiroshima: timeline of the bomb that changed the worldCountdown to Hiroshima: timeline of the bomb that changed the world
Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?
I fought the Japanese in Burma aged 18I fought the Japanese in Burma aged 18
VJ Day 70: The Nation Remembers is on Saturday 15 August from 13:00 BST on BBC One.VJ Day 70: The Nation Remembers is on Saturday 15 August from 13:00 BST on BBC One.