VJ Day reports from King's Lynn and Hunstanton

Earlier this month towns commemorated VJ Day. Here are reports from Gary Walker in King's Lynn and Jan Roomes in Hunstanton

Members from King's Lynn’s Civic community, together with veterans and family members of those who served in the Far East during WW2, gathered in Tower Gardens on Friday 15^th August, to commemorate not only the victory over Japan but also the end of the Second World War.

A large crowd of members of the public also attended making it one of the largest of the VJ Day events for several years.

Civic party and FEPOW family members gather following the VJ Day Service of Commemoration

The service was led by All Saints Curate Ben Almond, who introduced the Borough Mayor, Cllr Andy Bullen for a civic welcome to all attending this very special 80^th commemorative service, which had been arranged by the King’s Lynn Branch of the RAF Association.

The welcome was followed by the laying of wreaths at the Burma Star memorial, by both the civic party and family members of those who had served in the far east. The service also saw readings by family members of those who had served in what was commonly known as the ‘Forgotten Army’.

Indeed, a large number from Norfolk, serving in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Battalions of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, were sent to Singapore as reinforcements arriving in January 1942, just as the Japanese were on a headlong drive to the fortress. Singapore capitulated on the 14^th February and with few managing to escape, the majority found themselves as POWs for the next 3 and half years, in the most brutal and inhospitable of conditions.

Wreath laying party at the VJ Day Service of Commemoration.

Unlike the celebrations that took place following the defeat of Germany, for those who returned from the Far East, whether returning POWs, many of whom never recovered from their experience, or servicemen from the 14^th Army, there was no civic welcoming, with many struggling to come to terms with life back in the UK.

The RAF Association Event Organiser, Maj (Ret’d) Gary Walker said “although those serving in the Far East were generally forgotten by society as a whole, there were a large number of troops from the local area who were involved in fighting the most brutal of enemies and whose sacrifice we are determined will never now be forgotten.”

Photos courtesy of Borough Council of KL and WN.

Hunstanton came together on Friday 15th August 2025 to mark VJ Day, remembering those who served and sacrificed in the Far East during the Second World War.

The commemoration began with a Cream Tea at the Hunstanton Community Centre, attended by members of the Friday Friendship Group and invited guests. There followed a short and poignant service at midday, led in the Community Centre grounds by Reverend Sandra Ellison, with a reading by Ralph Hamlet, representing the Royal British Legion. 

As part of the commemoration, three peace roses, along with a small memorial plaque, will be planted in the grounds once soil conditions are more favourable.

Mayor, Cllr Cynthia Easeman lays a wreath

The service continued at the War Memorial, where wreaths were laid by Mr. Hamlet, the Mayor, Councillor Cynthia Easeman, and Mike Gould of Hunstanton RNLI. This was followed by the playing of The Last Post and a two-minute silence in honour of the fallen.

There was a strong turnout of residents and visitors, all coming together to pay their respects and reflect on the enduring importance of peace.

Mayor Cynthia Easeman said: “It was moving to see so many people join us today to remember and give thanks to those who served. VJ Day remains a vital part of our shared history, and it is important that we continue to mark it as a community.”

Photos courtesy of Hunstanton Town Council