VJ Day 75th anniversary in Southport commemorated with moving service

People gathered in Southport at the weekend to pay their respects at the 75th anniversary VJ (Victory over Japan) Day celebrations. 

Saturday marked three quarters of a century since the official surrender of Japan to Britain and the Allies, on 15 August 1945, which marked the official end of World War II.

The defeat of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis on May 8, 1945 ended the war in Europe, but there was three months of bitter fighting still left for the men and women serving in the Far East. 

A VJ Day commemoration was held at The Monument on Lord Street with standard bearers, veterans and dignitaries including Southport MP Damien Moore. 

Guests gathered at the Cenotaph at 10.30am before the Last Post at 11am and the paying of wreaths. It was organised by the Friends of the Burma Star. 

They then moved to the Remembrance Gardens for a short service. 

The standards present included the Burma Star, Southport Branch RBL and SSAFA Sefton.

Many people there had relatives who either served in the Far East during World War two, or whose lives were lost there. 

They included Southport Mum Jacquelyn Frith, whose Great Uncle Jack Frith, after whom she was named, was murdered by his Japanese captors after two years of forced labour as a Far East Prisoner of War (FEPOW). He was just 23 years old. 

Jacquelyn said: “I really think the service went well. The organisation was very good and it was well attended.

“This time last year, I stood alone at The Monument. I hope even more people attend next year, as each passing year is just as important to give thanks to those that have sacrificed so much.

“On a personal level my family and I were pleased to lay two wreaths – one for Jack Frith and all FEPOWs and one in commemoration of VJ Day 75. 

Far East Prisoner of War Jack Frith (right) and Ambon Cemetery

“I thought the service was very poignant and I particularly enjoyed the piper.

“I am really keen for this to become a nationally recognised event every year.

“The amazing TV coverage on Saturday will have reminded people and made people aware of that.” 

Two weeks after his 23rd birthday Jack Frith, then a POW, survived a torpedo attack when the Japanese ship he was being transported on was sunk in the Java Sea.

Ordered to build a runway for the planned Japanese invasion of Australia, he had endured almost two years as a Far East Prisoner Of War where he suffered horrific beatings, disease, malnutrition and forced marches at the point of a bayonet.

But as he swam away from his sinking vessel, the Suez Maru, he was among around 250 British and Dutch POWs to be gunned down in the water by his Japanese captors.

One of the worst atrocities of the Second World War was kept a closely guarded secret for decades by his own Government. 

Jacquelyn, aged 48, has just published a book about her heroic great uncle’s life story called Unwritten Letters To Spring Street. 

To find out more about Jacquelyn’s book, please visit unwrittenletterstospringstreet.co.uk

Unwritten Letters To Spring Street is available via Amazon.

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