Old and fragile now, a few survivors from what was known as ‘the forgotten army’ gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum yesterday to remember and testify.
This small group of veterans and their fallen brothers fought bravely against oppression in the Far East, playing a crucial role in liberating millions from the horrors of Japanese rule.
Even after the Nazis were defeated in Europe, they continued the fight for another three months, battling in places from the jungles of Burma to the various islands of the South Pacific against a fierce enemy.
Eight decades later, their accomplishments remain unforgettable. King Charles expressed it best: ‘They gave us more than freedom; they showed us how it must be defended.’
But has the modern world learned the lessons they sought to teach; that tyrants must be faced down and that liberty sometimes comes at extreme cost?
As these veterans assembled in Staffordshire for what may be their final major parade, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin traveled to Alaska to discuss the future of conflict-affected Ukraine.
Mr Trump is to be praised for his efforts to restore peace. But it can’t come at any price.
There is speculation that these leaders are considering a deal where Russia would retain Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine it currently controls, in exchange for a ceasefire.
All the last remaining VJ veterans pictured during a Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at The National Memorial Arboretum on August 15, 2025 in Alrewas, Staffordshire
Veteran Owen Filer reacts during a Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at The National Memorial Arboretum
King Charles III with with Yavar Abbas during a reception for VJ veterans and their families hosted by the Royal British Legion at The Aspects Building following a national Service of Remembrance to mark the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day
Some will say this is pragmatism. It seems unlikely that Ukrainian forces have the power to force Russian troops out of their country, so a land carve-up may seem the ‘least-worst’ option.
But Putin is a bully and if there’s one abiding lesson from the Second World War it’s that appeasing bullies doesn’t work. They always come back for more.
Ukraine is just one of the targets in Putin’s stated aim of recreating the Soviet Union. If he is rewarded for invading that country, his revanchist eye will surely move to others.
He is already at the gates of the EU, yet no European leader was invited to the summit.
By failing to shoulder its share of Nato costs, Europe has made itself irrelevant in these discussions. America pays the bills (for now at least), so America calls the tune.
Whatever the result of the summit, that has to change. Europe must start taking responsibility for its own defence with a vast increase in military spending.
Meanwhile, we wait to see what any Trump/Putin deal might look like – and whether it will be acceptable to Ukraine.
The US President is often regarded as the leader of the free world. Ukrainians have fought heroically to remain part of that world for three bloody years. Mr Trump must not sell them out.
King Charles III seen with Alfred Conway, who once served with Prince Phillip, during a Service of Remembrance
Queen Camilla with Bob Gelder (100) and his eldest son Kim during a Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day
The Red Arrows fly over the Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at The National Memorial Arboretum
For months, Palestinian flags have flown across Birmingham. Yet when Union flags and flags of St George began to appear, the city council immediately moved to have them taken down.
One councillor said some Palestinian flags had been removed but because of ‘issues’ when they were being taken down, future removals would require police protection.
Many residents also suspect council officials of duplicity – regarding British and English flags as divisive but the Palestinian standard as somehow noble.
If true, this is a shocking inversion. Any British citizen, regardless of ethnicity, colour or creed, should take pride in the Union flag. It is a symbol of unity in nationhood that belongs to all of us, unlike the flag of Palestine.
