Try GOLD - Free
King Leads VJ Day Commemorations as UK Marks 80th Anniversary of Japan's Surrender
The Guardian
|August 16, 2025
King Charles led VJ Day commemorations in the UK as a national service of remembrance and a two-minute silence marked the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the second world war and the end of the six-year-long conflict.
He was joined by Queen Camilla; the prime minister, Keir Starmer; and veterans who served in the east Asia theatres of war as wreaths were laid at the National Memorial Arboretum service in Staffordshire.
Powerful testimonies read aloud recalled the terrible cost of war, while a flypast featured the Red Arrows and second world war aircraft, including a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Lancaster bomber.
Among the guests of honour were 33 veterans, aged from 96 to 105. Royal Navy veteran Alfred Conway from Lincolnshire, watched as his great-granddaughter laid a wreath on the Burma railway memorial at the arboretum. George Durrant, who served in the Intelligence Corps, appeared on stage to urge people not to forget the sacrifices made by his comrades.
Durrant enlisted as a private in 1942 and trained to be a tank driver, before volunteering for a special mission, which turned out to be service in Burma.
This story is from the August 16, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Madeleine McCann prime suspect refused interview, Met police say
The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has refused to be interviewed by the Metropolitan police ahead of his pending release from prison in Germany, the force has said.
1 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Haaland double gives visitors derby day blues
Erling Haaland urged Manchester City to \"get our asses going\", then showed exactly how with the second and third goals that sealed this 197th derby for Pep Guardiola's team, and ended a two-defeat run.
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
England break record to set up France semi-final
Torrential rain and blustery conditions meant there was no champagne rugby on display in Bristol, but the occasion more than lived up to the hype with a sold-out Ashton Gate cheering England to a comfortable win against Scotland to book their spot in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, where they will face France.
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
The Mamdani way How Labour can click with ordinary people
Progressives in the UK and US are grappling with the same question. Why have rightwing populists become so much more successful at tapping into public concerns? And why are so few politicians on the left connecting with ordinary people?
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Fishy tale Challenge to legend of 'last true Cornish speaker'
The legend that Cornish vanished as a living language with the death of the fish seller Dolly Pentreath in the late 18th century is being challenged by a leading expert on the Celtic culture of the far south-west of Britain.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
State visit Subjects that Trump and ministers aim to avoid
For Donald Trump, the priority was to avoid any distractions. But as he arrives for his second state visit to Britain – an unprecedented honour for a US president – the crisis engulfing Keir Starmer's government threatens to overshadow the proceedings.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
'It was all for him' Foden dedicates derby victory to lifelong City fan Hatton
Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola dedicated Manchester City's 3-0 derby defeat of Manchester United to the former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton, a lifelong fan of the club, who was found dead at his home yesterday at the age of 46.
1 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
'My conscience is clear' Prince Harry on his family, the Ukraine war and the media
It's about midnight. It's raining. A small group is huddled around a lonely roadside cafe somewhere near the border between Poland and Ukraine, getting wet in the drizzle, sharing cartons of chips and bottles of beer.
9 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Unforgettable Hatton revived boxing spectacle for army of fans
Extraordinary in his fleeting prime, the 'Hitman' brought fresh vigour to British boxing with a career that attracted much adoration along with the demons of fame
5 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Utah shooting suspect has left-leaning beliefs, says governor
The suspect in the killing of the rightwing activist Charlie Kirk had left-leaning political beliefs and was in a relationship with a person \"transitioning from male to female\", the Utah governor, Spencer Cox, said yesterday.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size