Moray's civic leaders join military personnel for poignant VJ Day services
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VETERANS and serving military personnel were joined by Moray community leaders at the weekend for socially-distanced ceremonies to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
Moray's plans to mark Japan's surrender were scaled back due to the pandemic, with short but poignant services held at 11am, on Saturday, August 15, at the war memorials on the Plainstones in Elgin and in Forres.
The commemorations were led by members of the lieutenancy, Moray Council and local armed forces representatives, the Royal British Legion Scotland, the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association and Police Scotland.
A chaplain, a senior nurse and a piper attended both events.
An estimated 71,000 British and Commonwealth lives were lost fighting against Japan – around 12,000 of those prisoners of war who died in brutal Japanese camps. Some 2.5 million Japanese soldiers and civilians died.
A UK-wide two-minute silence was observed at 11am, with the Royal Family leading national tributes as Britain remembered Japan’s surrender to the Allied forces on August 15, 1945, which effectively ended the Second World War.
The main party at the Plainstones included: Vice Lord-Lieutenant Nancy Robson, Moray Council convener Councillor Shona Morrison and chief executive Roddy Burns, Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead, Air Commodore Alistair Monkman, Sgt Brian Taylor of 7 SCOTS, RAF Lossiemouth Wing Commander Matthew D’Aubyn, RAF Lossiemouth SWO WO1 Mark Ratcliffe, RAF Lossiemouth padre the Rev Helene Grant, Police Scotland's Moray Chief Inspector Norman Stevenson, head of clinical care at Dr Gray’s Hospital Liz Tait, Dr Gray’s nurses Niki Duncan and Becky Hutchison, and Elgin City Pipe Band Pipe Major Peter Craigmile.
Members of the public looked on as the Rev Grant welcomed guests and led the party in prayer before an address by Air Commodore Monkman. He recited the words of the Kohima Epitaph – found on many memorials around the world – "When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today".
After the two-minute silence, Pipe Major Craigmile played "The Battle’s O’er" and "VE 75" – which pipers around Moray had been encouraged to play at 11am ahead of the service. Mrs Robson then performed a salute to the war memorial.
Councillor Morrison said afterwards: "I was honoured to have the opportunity to represent Moray Council at this weekend’s VJ commemoration service in Elgin.
"It was especially heartening to have representatives there from Dr Gray’s, our military family, civic leaders, our MSP and the wider community.
"As we know, the military are woven into the society of Moray so it is essential that we find time to come together as a community to reflect upon such an anniversary and honour the memory of all those who made such great sacrifice.
"Sincere thanks goes to the Lord Lieutenant (Major General Seymour Monro) for organising the service and to all those in attendance."
Mr Lochhead said: "I thank the organisers for arranging a very poignant and important ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
"It was an honour to join Moray’s veterans, civic leaders, serving personnel, NHS representatives and the local community to pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who contributed to the war effort during World War II.
"Victory in Japan Day marked the end of the war and the most horrific and deadly conflict in history and it was their bravery and sacrifice that ensured the freedoms that we enjoy today."
Forres SNP councillor Aaron McLean attended the Forres ceremony. He said: "I was honoured to represent the Moray Council at Saturday's ceremony in Forres to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
"I would like to thank Forres Royal British Legion for organising the event where members of the public listened to messages of respect and peace and paid tribute to all who were involved in the Pacific and Asia during World War II.
Moray's MP and the Scottish Conservatives' new leader Douglas Ross issued an apology after missing the Forres ceremony to officiate a football match in his role as an SFA linesman.
See also: Moray MP Douglas Ross in hot water over Forres VJ Day no-show
