75th anniversary of VJ Day

County Hall will be raising the Union flag this weekend to mark 75 years since the Second World War came to an end in Japan.

The official commemorations will begin at 11am on Saturday 15th August with a national moment of remembrance and a two-minute silence, with residents being encouraged to mark the occasion from the safety of their homes.

Leicestershire county council has launched a website dedicated to helping people to get involved with VJ Day.

It can be found at: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/VJDay75

Pam Posnett, county council chairman said: "It is especially poignant for me to be able to pay tribute to those who fought in the Far East during World War Two, as my father-in-law Jim Posnett, is among those who served. He is one of just two surviving Chindits in Leicestershire and I am honoured to be able to help him share his story 

In 1945, the people of Leicestershire joined in Victory in Japan celebrations, celebrating heroes at home and on the frontline.

And 75 years on, residents across Leicestershire can join in online from their homes to remember those who lost their lives, so that we could live ours.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE, said: “It is impossible to overstate how much we all owe to those men who served in the Far East campaign – those members of the ‘Forgotten Army’, so many of whom lost their lives or spent years imprisoned in brutal camps. 

“If it were not for their service and sacrifice, many of the freedoms and way of life we take for granted today would not be possible.”