THE ROYAL British Legion is set to pay tribute to ‘forgotten’ British and Commonwealth Forces who served in the Far East as the charity marks the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.
The event, which takes places tomorrow (August 15), marks the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II effectively bringing the Second World War to an end.
Through its programme of activity the Legion will be shining a spotlight on the stories of British and Commonwealth Tri-Service Forces, highlighting the forgotten history of those who fought in the conflict and the atrocious and harrowing conditions in which they served and were held prisoner.
Sacrifice
A two minute silence will take place at 11am and will be the focal point of the commemorative service at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Royal British Legion’s Assistant Director of Commemorative Events, Bob Gamble OBE, said: “As we mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day we are inviting the public to take this opportunity to honour the contributions of all who served and sacrificed in the Far East.
“We recognise the enormous bravery of the Tri-Service personnel who came from across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and Australasia to form one of the most multicultural forces in history, many of whom faced some of the harshest conditions of the Second World War.
“Those serving with the British Forces in the Far East came from diverse backgrounds and cultures and much of the UK’s modern day multiculturism can be traced back to this period of history.
Recognised
“Whilst the contribution of Commonwealth forces is talked about more than it used to be, on this significant anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to go further in ensuring that all who served are fully recognised and to inspire the general public to find out more about this vital part of our shared heritage and the impact it had on our lives today.”
Among the soldiers whose stories has been highlighted as part of the celebrations is Private Joseph Hammond, 95.
In 1943, Hammond was drafted from Ghana to fight with the 82nd Division in Burma, he joined the war in Asia as the Allies were beginning to turn the tide against the Japanese.
Fearful
He recalls: “When our troops arrived, it was so fearful. The Japanese, they were the most ferocious human fighters that I’ve ever seen. We fought ferocious fighting.”
“The Japanese went near the Irrawaddy river. They attempted to cross but they realised that they would be late and we would massacre them, so they changed their mind. They started going down South, so we followed them. Sometimes the fighting became to intense, for three days we could not push them. We crossed the river at Ma-ubin, we lost six men there.”
“When somebody is killed, sometimes you see that person floating on the water, the very water that we drink. Sometimes we were short of food, for about three to four days – no food. We rely on our biscuits and corned beef alone, until a parachute would drop the food and ammunition for us.”
Intense
“Then we continued the fighting but then something happened. We encountered lots of difficulty from Japanese snipers. They hid in the trees and killed a lot of people. The fighting became so intense, we could not push the Japanese. So, we had to solicit help from 2nd Light Battery – our artillery. The whole ground would be shaking.”
I would like to pay tribute to all those who fought in the Far East in extremely tough conditions against a very formidable enemy. On VJ Day I will be thinking of those who made it home and those who didn’t.
Joseph Hammond
While fighting, Joseph became seriously ill and had to spend the rest of the war in hospital.
“After the victory parade, General Slim addressed all the troops. I was at the hospital, so my colleagues told me. Congratulated our troops that they had done marvellously well, they have defended The British Empire. And I feel proud today that I contributed a lot during the war.”
Return
After the war Hammond returned to Ghana alongside his fellow surviving soldiers.
“We were the first people to return to the country in December, 1945” he recalls. “ And we were the first people to bring the green battle dress into Ghana. So all the army colleagues you see today wearing green battle, we brought it first.”
Recently, he was recognised by Her Majesty with a Commonwealth Points of Light Award after he embarked on a 14 mile walk to raise funds for frontline workers.
Speaking about tomorrow’s event Hammond says: “On the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day I will be remembering all my comrades who fought with me in the Far East. Many of us were away from home for several years not knowing what was happening elsewhere in the war and hearing little or nothing from our families.
Tribute
“I would like to pay tribute to all those who fought in the Far East in extremely tough conditions against a very formidable enemy. On VJ Day I will be thinking of those who made it home and those who didn’t.”
Members of the public can access the full programme of activities, view the interactive map, leave a message of thanks or upload their own experience of VJ Day here
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The African and Caribbean soldiers who volunteered their life in defence of Her Majesty in both of England’s European wars have been very badly treated; their contribution wiped from the pages of history and they were prevented from the annual Cenotaph celebrations until the early 1980s.
The West Indian Ex-Servicemen had to self fund a statue to their fallen colleagues.