VJ Day to be marked across borough

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim Mr David McCorkell accompanied the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery at this special exhibition now open at The Old Courthouse, until Saturday, August 22 before moving to Ballyclare Town Hall where you can visit from Thursday, August 27 until Saturday, September 12.

As part of the VJ Day 75 commemorative programme ‘For Our Freedom and Yours’ exhibition is the story of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, a fascinating and moving display which traces the story of this famous army from their formation in Duns in 1942 to their campaigns in Western Europe in 1944 - 1945 under the command of the esteemed General Stanislaw Maczek.

Produced by Titanic Honour and Glory Limited, based in Scotland, this exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday noon to 6pm with admission free.

Saturday, August 15 marks VJ Day 75, the day the Second World War officially ended.

Council plans to commemorate this historic occasion primarily with an online programme due to some Covid-19 restrictions still in place.

There are plans for beacons to be lit on Friday, August 14 at The Motte, Antrim Castle Gardens and Macedon Point at Hazelbank Park to symbolize the light of peace after many dark days of conflict.

A special laying of wreaths will also take place at the War Memorials at Market Square, Antrim and Lilian Bland Park, Glengormley on Saturday, August 15.

Mossley Mill, Antrim Civic Centre and the clock face of Ballyclare Town Hall will also illuminate red throughout the weekend as part of the commemorations.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim Mr David McCorkell said: “As Her Majesty the Queen’s Representative in Co Antrim, it gives me great pleasure to launch Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s commemorative programme to mark the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day.

“To pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth, who fought and died in the war against the Japanese. We thank them for their service and sacrifice”.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Cllr Jim Montgomery added: “I am honoured as Mayor to lead the borough’s tribute on August 15 as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War. We must never forget the sacrifice of our servicemen and women who afforded us our freedom today.”

Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of armed forces personnel were still fighting a bitter war in the Far East.

Fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the Fourteenth Army, was one of the most diverse in history, more than 40 languages were spoken and all the world’s major religions represented.

Japan surrendered on August 15 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.

Nationwide events will pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth who fought and died in the war against Japan, including all those who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.

Full details can be found on the council’s website https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/vjday75/

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.