Veterans, civic dignitaries and the public joined troops from Colchester Garrison to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War yesterday.
A Victory over Japan (VJ) Day ceremony was held at Colchester’s war memorial on the High Street, on the same day Japanese forces surrendered 70 years’ earlier.
The short service was led by The Right Reverend Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester.
A roll call of town residents killed in fighting in the Far East was read before wreathes were laid in tribute to both military personnel and civilians who died in the conflict.
Major Nick Berry, Deputy Chief of Staff of Colchester Garrison, said: “The service was a simple but very poignant event to mark 70 years since the final end of the Second World War after the surrender of Japanese forces.
“The campaign in the Far East was hard fought and brutal and it is often overlooked that fighting continued after the end of hostilities in Europe.
“It is important that we join together to both remember all those killed during the Second World War and celebrate the victory and outpouring of relief there was in 1945 at the end of six long years of war.”
Prisoners of war and civilian internees were also marked in the ceremony.
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