Tribute to heroes of World War Two
A poignant milestone was marked at the weekend despite lockdown.
Saturday marked 75 years since Japan surrendered in World War II and brought the war to an end, an event which became known across the world as VJ Day.
To commemorate the anniversary the Union Flag was raised at Stirling Council Municipal Buildings on Saturday.
Provost Christine Simpson said: “While current Covid-19 restrictions prevented us coming together as we normally would on this occasion, it was important we remembered the enormous sacrifices of those who secured our freedom, particularly in the Far East campaign that lasted three months longer than the war in Europe.
“The Union Flag was raised over Municipal Buildings to pay tribute to the heroes who fought so bravely on our behalf or tragically lost their lives in the conflict. They will never be forgotten.
“Many families in the Stirling area will have close connections to those who served in the Second World War and the two-minute national silence will have been particularly poignant for them.
“VJ Day also provides an opportunity to remember those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces and their families.”
Piper Tony Byrne went to Dunblane War Memorial at 6am to play ‘Battle’s O’er’. Members of 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade thanked him online.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart, who lives in Bridge of Allan, is honorary ambassador for the Ancre Somme Association Scotland and honorary president of Ribbon of Poppies UK and Commonwealth Scotland.
He observed the Scottish Parliament’s one-minute silence in remembrance of VJ Day and also revisited the poppy garden of remembrance at the Parliament, which he founded in 2018 to remember those killed, injured, taken prisoner, tortured or enslaved during the World Wars.
Mr Stewart said: “The weekend marked the 75th anniversary of the end of a particularly savage and cruel stage of WWII, which was the conflict in the Far East, and it is right that everyone who lost their lives and who suffered is remembered at this time.
“Many political and military Japanese leaders were convicted of war crimes during the Tokyo tribunal in addition to other Allied tribunals in Asia.
“The Japanese military before and during World War II committed numerous atrocities against civilian and military personnel and this included the execution and harsh treatment of Allied military personnel and prisoners of war, including that of biological and human experiments, in addition to forced labour on the notorious Thai-burma Railway for the Japanese military.
“Much of this history has been lost on later generations so it is extremely important that we both remember these events and educate our younger generations with a view to ensuring at every opportunity that these horrific scenarios may never exist again.”
● Do you or your relatives have any memories or photographs of VJ Day or those who served in the Far East. If so please email these to news@ stirlingobserver.co.uk and we will do our best to highlight them.