Dorset Council to commemorate 80th anniversary of VJ Day

On Friday 15 August at 10.50am, a Service will be held at the Memorial Area outside County Hall to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, marking the date of Japan's surrender during World War II.

During the event, we will pay our respects to our Veterans, Associations, Reserves, Cadets and our serving Armed Forces, to reaffirm our shared commitment to preserving the memory of the immense human cost of the conflict, those men and women across the UK and Commonwealth who continued to fight and serve.

The Service will begin with the raising of the VJ 80 Flag followed by a welcome speech and introduction by the Chair of Dorset Council, Cllr Stella Jones MBE.

Revd John Yarrien, Superintendent Minister, Dorset South and West Methodist Circuit will lead the Service with Royal British Legion past County Chairman, Mr Grant Parrott as Master of Ceremonies. He will invite wreath layers to lay their wreaths following the Act of Remembrance.

Cllr Stella Jones MBE said: 

"We are honoured to welcome a host of guests including family members of Burma Veterans, some of whom will be travelling from other parts of the country to be a part of this poignant Service and who will also lay wreaths, as well as other who will also lay wreaths.

"We also welcome Bovington Military Wives’ Choir who will perform hymns during the Service and a beautiful medley of Vera Lynn songs from the era."

Members of the public are welcome to attend.  The Ceremony will be livestreamed on the Dorset Council Facebook page. 

There will be a national two minute silence at 12pm on the day.