‘Forgotten Army’ honoured at VJ Day commemorations in Bury St Edmunds

The Suffolk soldiers who fought so valiantly in the Far East during World War Two were remembered last weekend.

Around 65 people, including veterans and civic dignitaries, gathered at St Mary’s Church, in Bury St Edmunds, on Saturday to pay their respects to ‘The Forgotten Army’ at a special VJ Day commemoration.

While Victory in Europe (VE Day) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East.

And though Victory over Japan (VJ Day) would came at a heavy price, it is often forgotten in many parts of the country.

The St Mary’s commemoration formed the centrepiece of a number of small gatherings around Suffolk, mostly limited to 30 people, which also included the Abbey Gardens Rose Garden.

VJ day, August 15, marks the day Japan surrendered, and which in effect, ended World War Two.

The County of Suffolk VJ Day Service of Remembrance at St Mary’s was organised by The Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk.

Attendees included representatives from the county’s armed services, veterans from Royal Air Force Association, The British Legion, the Australian High Commission, Suffolk civic dignitaries and Far East Associations.

“It went superbly,” said Ken Rowbottom, chairman of the Suffolk branch of the Royal British Legion.

“A decision was only taken on July 21 to hold the commemoration, a committee put together and people rolled up their sleeves and got on with it, in light of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

“It was beautifully controlled by the stewards with social distancing, channels along the main aisle of the church.”

In the UK, the stories of soldiers fighting in Japan were not followed as closely as those in Europe, simply because the European battles were closer to home. But the atrocities the soldiers saw, and suffered, the battles they fought, have left scars throughout the generations.

Other small gatherings, were held around the county, including Needham Market, Haverhill, Ipswich, Bungay, Beccles Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Saxmundham.

VJ Day still conjures many emotions for relatives. A debilitating climate, tropical disease, starvation and ill-treatment, all contributed to the heavy losses suffered in captivity.

In addition, prisoners of war were made to work as slave labourers and in the so-called ‘hell ships’ running the gauntlet of American submarines en route to Japan. Many who survived this captivity returned home after VJ Day, little more than human skeletons, who would be forever haunted by the experience.

On Saturday, Cheryl Hickman, who runs the Bull Inn, in Barton Mills, with her sister, Sonia, decorated their pub and installed a large banner marking VJ Day.

“My gramps, Ronald, served with the 5th Suffolk Regiment and was a prisoner of war for three years,” said Cheryl.

“He was only in his early 20s, and the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known.

“He spoke very little of the torture he suffered but he had nightmares until the day he died in 2005.

“We raised a glass to him, and his mates, who were lost to horrific circumstances and thank them for giving their yesterday, for our today.”

Bernie Millard, chairman of the Bury St Edmunds branch of the Royal British Legion, which held its remembrance at Abbey Gardens, rose garden, said: "The service was attended by the vice chairman of West Suffolk Council, Squadron Officer commanding 677 Squadron 6th Army Air Corps, Regimental Second in Command, Royal Tanks Regiment, Officer Commanding 64th Squadron Royal Engineers, former members of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, Royal Artillery Veterans, and members of the public.

"The service followed the traditional format of remembrance services, The Last Post and Reveille being played by a fourteen year old girl who currently attends a school in Bury St. Edmunds.

"Wreaths were laid at the War Memorial by the various organisations represented.

"At the conclusion of the service, members of the congregation were invited to gather at the Pilgrims Café for tea and coffee, to renew old acquaintances and to reminisce about former times.’

For more pictures see the current edition of the Bury Free Press (August 21 edition).