Join St Albans Mayor and Burma veterans for 70th anniversary of VJ Day
Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, and Burma campaign veterans invite you to the remembrance service at 1:45pm for 2pm on Sunday 16 August. The 70th anniversaries of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day and Victory in Europe (VE) Day will be commemorated at the war memorials in Woodland Park, Jersey Farm.
The service is organised by Mr Don Dell, Chair of St Albans Royal British Legion, supported by 91-year-old Mr Reg Cox. Mr Cox served in the Royal Marines during the Burma Campaign. He was also chairman of St Albans Burma Star Association until it disbanded in 2010 because of the increasing age and infirmity of its remaining members.
Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “This service of remembrance is our opportunity to stand with the Burma veterans in remembering their brave comrades who died defending our freedom. I want to thank the Burma Star Association and the Royal British Legion for honouring and supporting our ex-servicemen and women. I do hope as many people as possible will join us for this 70th anniversary on Sunday.”
Wreaths will be laid by representatives of the Royal British Legion and of the combined forces. Rev Em Coley, the Mayor’s Chaplain, is leading the service, the Salvation Army will provide music and District and Parish Councillors will also be in attendance.
Mr Don Dell of the Royal British Legion said: “I want to join with St Albans Mayor, Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, in inviting everyone to this act of remembrance. The Burma campaign was the longest and hardest part of the war and many lives were lost. Please come on Sunday to honour the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to make the world a better place.”
One of the two memorials in the park is for soldiers who lost their lives in the Burma Campaign against the Japanese Army in 1941-1945. The other memorial is for servicemen and women who died in the Korean War, and Royal Navy personnel who carried out amphibious raids throughout the Second World War.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Salih Gaygusuz
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Ruth Boyer, Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819316
E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
The Burma Star Association is the veterans' association for ex-servicemen and women of all services who served in the Burma Campaign during 1941-1945. The Association was formed in February 1951 to promote comradeship and the welfare of its members. More information can be found on the website.
The anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day is 8 May and of VJ (Victory in Japan) Day is 15 August.