'Their comrades that fought in Europe came home in May 1945 and they came back to a huge welcome and celebration. Pauline Simpson, an organiser of the events from the National Far East Prisoners of War Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association, said of the day: 'I think it's very important to the veterans because they feel that they've been treated as the forgotten army. 'That their sacrifice be not in vain, we meet to dedicate ourselves anew to his service, and to ask his guidance in all that lies ahead of us.' 'And especially to remember our comrades who, in prison camps, or in the seas of the Far East, made the supreme sacrifice, and also to remember those who have died, since their return, as a result of their suffering. The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrive at the event, which has been described as 'emotional' and 'poignant' by many who attended The only level above severe is 'critical', which means an attack is imminent. Last week, the threat level for international terrorism for the UK, as set by the Security Services, remained at 'severe', meaning MI5 bosses believe an attack on this country is 'highly likely'. To meet the deadly threat, teams of heavily armed firearms officers were deployed on Westminster's streets while plain-clothed officers loitered among the crowds watching for any suspicious behaviour. The drastic security procedures followed the discovery by intelligence chiefs that home-grown jihadis want to use an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to murder the Queen, dignitaries and veterans.Īlthough their plot has been exposed, security chiefs feared the as-yet-unknown number of terrorists remained intent on causing carnage at the events to mark the end of the Far East campaign. Military snipers were posted on rooftops, road blocks were erected and bags were being searched to protect the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prime Minister and thousands of veterans and guests. Special Forces troops and counter-terrorism police put up a ring of steel around the VJ Day celebrations in a desperate bid to prevent an Islamic State atrocity in the heart of London. There was a visible police presence and tight security around the church, which is situated in Trafalgar Square, as tourists and onlookers stood behind barriers. Scotland Yard Commander Dave Musker said police were working closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion to make sure the ceremonies were held peacefully.īuckingham Palace refused to comment on the reported threat, with a spokesman saying they do not comment on security matters. There was slight drama as a standard bearer collapsed and was stretchered away by fellow soldiers, but the event otherwise passed without incident. The events came after the Metropolitan Police was forced to reassure participants over reports extremists intended to target the ceremonies. It's been a brilliant day and we can't thank everybody enough.' Mr Boardman, who was a prisoner of war for more than three years in Thailand, said he kept the ring safe all that time - and he is still wearing it 70 years on.Īsked what he thought of Camilla, he said: 'She's very nice isn't she? I'm very impressed. My wife bought it for me in 1940 when we got married,' he said. I brought it out with me to the Far East. Meanwhile Tim Boardman, 97, from Leigh in Lancashire, said Camilla asked him about the ring he had on his finger. Maurice Naylor, 94 - who was captured in Singapore and held as a prisoner of war - chatted with the Duchess of Cornwall at the party, adding that the day was 'very exciting' but that he was now 'quite tired'. The Queen wore immaculate white gloves for the event, along with a pair of pearl earrings and a hat adorned with a rose The brave servicemen were met with applause when they arrived, with one of them joking: 'Where's the beer tent?'Īmong the veterans was Gordon Smith, 95, who was a prisoner of war from 1942 and watched the atomic bomb explode over Hiroshima in 1945. Historic aircraft, including a Spitfire and a Hurricane, flew overhead as around 1,000 veterans and their families gathered in remembrance.Īctor Charles Dance read Rudyard Kipling's poem The Road to Mandalay while classic British hymns such as 'Abide with Me' rang out.Īround 350 veterans and their families and carers later met with royals and the Prime Minister at a garden party hosted by the Royal British Legion in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. This afternoon a second memorial, which was attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, was held at Horse Guards Parade near Buckingham Palace. The Queen met veterans outside the St Martin-in-the-Fields church following this morning's special ceremony, including one gentleman in a wheelchair who looked overjoyed to be talking to the monarch
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