Bromsgrove commemoration service to mark Burma campaign

Buy photos » The commemoration will take place at the Burma Campaign Memorial on Saturday. s

WITH TODAY (Wednesday) being VJ (Victory in Japan) Day, a special commemoration service to mark the Burma campaign will be held at Bromsgrove's Burma campaign Memorial, Crown Close, at 11am on Saturday (August 18).

The event will remember the full and final end of World War II when the Japanese unconditionally surrendered to the Allies.

Those who fought in Burma, with the 14th army, commanded by Lieutenant General 'Bill' Slim, will be remembered during the service. They are often referred to as the 'forgotten army' and a small number of Burma campaign veterans will parade in Bromsgrove tomorrow.

The town's Burma Memorial is the biggest in the UK to that particular campaign commemorates the participation of all three services, including the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment, East and West African forces, along with those who fell at the battle of Kohima (the turning point of the campaign) and the men who died as Japanese prisoners of war.

Residents and ex-servicemen and women are invited to the parade and service to pay their respects - not only to the Burma campaign, but also for World War II and conflicts since then, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Coun Janice Boswell, Civic Head of Bromsgrove, will lead the wreath laying on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council.

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