Henley Remembers Victory in Japan on 80th Anniversary

Henley marked the 80th anniversary of WWII Victory in Japan on Friday with a ceremony on the Town Hall steps at 12 noon and the beacon lighting on Makins Recreation Ground in the evening.

At the Town Hall, a bugler played the last post which was followed by a 2 minute silence.  Afterwards, Henley Mayor, Councillor Tom Buckley said, “In May we celebrated the end of 5 years of war in Europe for VE day.  For many this seemed the end of the war and it brought a gradual return for normal life despite rationing and other major problems.  However, Churchill reminded us of another ferocious war was still be waged in the Far East.  The British 14th Army under General Bill Slim turned the tide against the Japanese and fought particularly in the epic battle in Burma.  We must not forget the backbone of this forgotten army because they were forgotten.  They were huge numbers of troops from the commonwealth including India, Nepal, Gold Coast, and many from Africa.  Today we especially remember the sacrifices they made in the lives lost and a legacy of physical and mental wounds.  We honour all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring WWII to an end but at a terrible, terrible cost.  Not only to the military and their families but to civilians on all sides who lost so much.  Today it is more necessary to remember this cost and work to ensure that it never happens again.  We will remember them.”

John Green, Standard Bearer and President of Royal British Legion Henley Branch said after the ceremony, “I think the main significance is that it reminds us, as the Mayor said in his speech, it is not just a question of victory in Europe, it was victory against the Japanese and it was four terrible months before the war ended.  Today we have remembered all those who paid the price and again the Mayor said, we mustn’t let it happen again.  It is up to us and our children to make sure that it doesn’t happen and the best ways to do that is that we keep having these remembrance events not to forget history to remember the truth of history and whilst that is possible, there is still hope for the future.”

The Royal British Legion had a fundraising stall on Market Place and Josh Thatcher had his WWII jeep on display for people to look.  In the afternoon members of Henley Branch enjoyed an afternoon tea at Greenlands.

In the evening, Councillor David Eggleton lit the beacon evening and said, “It is a honour to light this beacon for those that were fallen and honouring those people that have past in the wars today.”  John Green read the exhortation, “We shall not grow not old…”

Afterwards, Town Crier, David Wilson said, “Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad whose sacrifices enabled us to all enjoy the peace we have today.  Let us remember those who came home wounded, physically and mentally and for their friends and family who cared for them.  Let us remember those who restored their relationships and rebuilt their working and family lives after years of conflict and turmoil.  Let us remember families who lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters and sweethearts.  Let us remember servicemen and women of other nationalities and faith from commonwealth and allied countries who fought, suffered or died during 6 long years of war.”