At 11.00am on Saturday 14 August, a small group gathered at the Kohima War Memorial at County Hall in Dorchester to mark the 76th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day and remember all those who died in the Second World War in Asia. A minute silence was observed.
Chairman of the Council, Cllr Val Pothecary along with Vice Lord-Lieutenant, The Hon Mrs Townshend and High Sheriff, Mr Michael Dooley attended the socially distanced service and laid wreaths to remember the fallen, on behalf of the Queen and the people of Dorset.
Although the Second World War ended in Europe on 8 May (VE Day), War did not end until finally the Japanese were forced to surrender as a consequence of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marks the end of World War II, one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in history. Those who fought in Burma, the Pacific and the far east were known as “the forgotten army”.
The Second Battalion of the Dorset Regiment, which had fought so hard and decisively at Kohima, and in the continuing battle which drove the Japanese out of Burma, was the first British Battalion to be given the responsibility to enter Tokyo, and to take part, with the Americans, in the occupation of Japan. The battle at Kohima was a turning point in the war and at one point the armies were fighting across a tennis court.
Cllr Pothecary said:
“As Chairman of the Council I am honoured to represent the staff and councillors of Dorset Council in laying a wreath at the memorial.
“We will remember and give thanks for the extraordinary bravery, resourcefulness and tenacity demonstrated by those who fought in the Asia-Pacific Theatre of the Second World War, especially the Second Battalion of the Dorset Regiment who were sent to India in 1944 following the Japanese invasion of Assam and were involved in the battle of Kohima, which was seen as a key turning point in the conflict.”
The service was recorded by Andy Worth, from KeeP 106FM radio, and will be available to listen to on their website shortly.
The regimental flag of the Dorset Regiment will be flown over County Hall for three days from 13 August, kindly loaned by The Keep Museum.
