Remembering VJ Day – 80 Years On at the National Memorial Arboretum
On Friday 15th August the Royal British Legion, in partnership with the Government, will hold the National Commemorative Event to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.
We are honoured to be hosting the national commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum, where we will be joined Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as VJ Day veterans.
Paying tribute to all those who served in the Far East and the Pacific, a national Two-Minute Silence will be held at midday, followed by a one-hour commemoration at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial. The event will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 11:30am, and will also be available to view on a large screen within the grounds of the Arboretum for members of the public.
The commemoration will feature 400 members of the Armed Forces and include music performances, readings and veteran testimonies, as well as a flypast from the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Broadcaster Paddy O’Connell will provide live commentary during the service.
Public screening at the National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Friday 15 August.
Members of the public can watch the National Commemorative Event live via a large screen at the Naval Review.
Seating in this public viewing area is subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis.
An accessible park and ride shuttle service will be in operation for all members of the public visiting the Arboretum on this day, including blue badge holders.
Booking is highly recommended to guarantee access to the site. Visit the National Memorial Arboretum website to book your visit.
What is Victory over Japan Day?
VJ Day marks the anniversary of 15 August 1945 when Japan announced its surrender to the Allied forces.
The surrender was met with relief and celebration that after six long years the Second World War was finally over.
While millions took part in parades and street parties, there was also great sadness - the human cost was enormous and many eagerly awaited the safe return of loved ones.
Over 90,000 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan - 30,000 died and 37,500 were held as prisoners of war.
For hundreds of thousands of service personnel from Britain and the Commonwealth, it would take many months to be reunited with loved ones, some of whom they hadn’t seen for more than five years.
Find out below about how the war ended, and eyewitness accounts of this momentous time.
How was WW2 brought to an end in the Far East?
As the fighting ended in Europe in May 1945, Allied troops in the east were still engaged in fierce warfare.
Burma (Myanmar) was liberated by the 14th Army, the principal British fighting force in the east. It was an extraordinary army composed of troops from South Asia, Africa and British, Burmese and Gurkha units. Some 85% were from pre-partition India. By 1945 the British Indian Army was the largest volunteer force in history, made up of 2.5 million men and women. The War claimed the lives of 87,000 of these volunteers.
Through the early months of 1945, the 14th Army fought intensely and pushed determined Japanese forces back through hundreds of miles of malaria-infested jungle, supported by continual supply drops from the air.
Recognizing that victory was impossible, the Japanese government finally accepted the Allied surrender terms on 14th August. The following day was declared Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.
Stories from the end of Second World War
FAQ
What time do I need to arrive by?
Invited Guests
Detailed arrival instructions have been shared, via email, with all invited guests by RBL. If you have any further specific questions regarding arriving as an invited guest, please contact [email protected].
General Visitors
The National Commemorative Event will be live transmitted to a large screen, situated on the Naval Review, within the Arboretum grounds. Seating will be available in this public viewing area (open from 10am), subject to availability and on a first come first served basis. Live music from a cappella Arboretum Associate Partners Black Voices will commence at the Naval Review from 10.45am. We recommend being seated to view the commemorative event by 11.30am at the latest, and the event is expected to conclude by 1pm.
Where will the service be held?
The National Commemorative Service will be held at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial. Access to the service area will be restricted to invited guests only.
The National Commemorative Event will be live transmitted to a large screen, situated on the Naval Review, within the Arboretum grounds.
How long will the commemorative service last?
The service coverage will commence at approximately 11.30am and will last approximately 60 minutes.
The Arboretum will remain open until 5pm on Friday 15 August 2025.
I am a descendent of someone who served during World War II, will I be able to attend the service?
Will there be seating provided in the service area?
All invited guests, hosted by the Royal British Legion, will be directed to seats in the private National Commemorative event area.
Can I bring a standard to parade on VJ Day?
Due to the limited space that will be available on the day and pre-choregraphed service, only invited standards will be permitted to participate in the VJ Day 80 National Commemorative Event.
Will there be a parade on VJ Day?
Due to the limited space that will be available on the day and pre-choregraphed service a parade will not be incorporated into the VJ Day commemorative service.
I am a member of the general public, do I need to book a ticket to attend the service?
The National Memorial Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on 15 August. The National Commemorative Event will be live transmitted to a large screen, situated on the Naval Review, within the Arboretum grounds. All visitors will be able to watch the service in this area.
Access to the National Commemorative Event area will be restricted to invited guests only.
We do highly recommend that members of the general public wishing to visit the Arboretum pre-book their parking in advance to guarantee entry on this day. An accessible Park & Ride facility will be in operation on this day for all cars, motorcycles and scooters arriving at the Arboretum, including blue badge holders.
Visit the National Memorial Arboretum website to book your visit.
Where will I be required to park on the day?
Invited Guests
Detailed arrival instructions have been shared, via email, with all invited guests by RBL. If you have any further specific questions regarding arriving as an invited guest, please contact [email protected].
General Visitors
All general visitors to the Arboretum on the 15 August, including blue badge holders, will be required to use the Arboretum’s accessible Park & Ride facility.
We do highly recommend that members of the general public wishing to visit the Arboretum pre-book their parking in advance to guarantee entry on this day. An accessible Park & Ride facility will be in operation on this day for all cars, motorcycles and scooters arriving at the Arboretum, including blue badge holders.
Visit the National Memorial Arboretum website to book your visit.
I have a Blue Badge where will I park on the day?
Invited Guests
Detailed arrival instructions have been shared, via email, with all invited guests by RBL. If you have any further specific questions regarding arriving as an invited guest, please contact [email protected].
General Visitors
All general visitors to the Arboretum on the 15 August, including blue badge holders, will be required to use the Arboretum’s accessible Park & Ride facility.We do highly recommend that members of the general public wishing to visit the Arboretum pre-book their parking in advance to guarantee entry on this day. An accessible Park & Ride facility will be in operation on this day for all cars, motorcycles and scooters arriving at the Arboretum, including blue badge holders.
Visit the National Memorial Arboretum website to book your visit.
Is it possible to hire mobility aids from the Arboretum?
Detailed accessibility instructions have been shared, via email, with all invited guests by RBL. If you have any further specific questions regarding arriving as an invited guest, please contact [email protected].
General Visitors
How far away will the public viewing area service be from the Remembrance Centre?
Seating for members of the public wishing to watch the live relay of the National Commemorative Event will be made available on a first come first served basis on the Naval Review. The service will be held close to the Naval Services Memorial, which is approximately 300 metres from the Arboretum’s Remembrance Centre.
Will the service go ahead in the event of inclement weather?
As an outdoor venue the Arboretum’s events and Remembrance services continue to take place in the event of inclement weather.
The use of small personal umbrellas will be permitted, but please be considerate of those around you.
Can I lay a wreath during the service?
Only invited service participants will be permitted to lay wreaths during the National Commemorative Event. Visitors will be welcome to lay their own wreaths and tributes at appropriate memorials around the Arboretum, and members of their team will be able to advise if required.
Floral tributes should be removed from any plastic wrap and should not be fixed to memorials or trees in our grounds. Please note that the Armed Forces Memorial and its immediate surroundings will be closed to the public from 10am on Friday 8 August until 5pm on Sunday 17 August. On Friday 15 August, the Far Eastern Area of the site will also be closed until 2pm*.
Visitors wishing to order RBL poppy wreaths in advance of their visit, ready for collection on the day, can do so by calling the Arboretum on 01283 245 100.
Can I get to the Arboretum using public transport on this day?
A seven-day bus service operated by Diamond, runs from Tamworth Rail Station to the Arboretum via Alrewas village. Visitors wishing to travel to the Arboretum by public transport will be able to use this service on 15 August. Further information about the service can be found on the Arboretum’s website.
Will I be able to access all areas of the Arboretum on 15 August?
The Arboretum will be open to the public on Friday 15 August from 10am – 5pm. The Armed Forces Memorial and its immediate surroundings will be closed to the public from 10am on Friday 8 August until 5pm on Sunday 17 August
On Friday 15 August, the Far Eastern Area of the site, including the Far East Prisoners of War Building, will also be closed until 2pm*
All other areas of the Arboretum, including the Restaurant, Coffee Shop and exhibitions, including ‘Prisoners of War – A Chaplain’s Portraits’ will be open as normal.
*Please note this timing is subject to change.