Notts TV to live broadcast county-wide VJ Day 75th anniversary commemorations

Japanese representatives on board USS Missouri (BB-63) during the surrender ceremonies, September 2 1945. (Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.)

Notts TV will broadcast the joint City Council, County Council and districts of Nottinghamshire commemorations of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

VJ Day is when Japan surrendered in the Second World War on August 15 1945, bringing and end to the Second World War.

While VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East, and victory over Japan would come at a heavy price.

Tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth fought and died in the war against Japan, including those who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.

Although events taking place across the UK are still subject to social distancing guidelines and local lockdown restrictions, the Nottinghamshire commemorations being held both at Victoria Embankment and St Mary’s Church in Lace Market can be watched live on Notts TV from 12.30pm.

Those unable to watch the service live on Notts TV or via the live Notts TV Facebook feed will be able to see the whole programme at their leisure via the Notts TV catch-up service at nottstv.com.

There will also be footage available on social media from the afternoon.

Video: Colonel James Gunn OBE speaks to Jake Brigstock about what VJ Day means to him

Owen Shipton, Head of Output at Notts TV, said: “We feel very privileged to be broadcasting the service at St Mary’s church and t”e commemorations at Victoria Embankment on Notts TV.

“We are very glad to be giving more people the chance to observe this special moment, especially at a time when social distancing remains so important.”

The feed will include excerpts from the first commemoration event of the day which is a party of civic dignitaries placing wreaths at the memorial.

The live stream, a first for such an event in the city, will be broadcast from St Mary’s Church where a commemorative service will be attended by The Lord and Deputy Lieutenants of Nottingham, The High Sheriff of Nottingham, The Lord Mayor of Nottingham and a small group of leaders invited from local communities.

This is not a public service and members of the public are asked not to attend. 

St Mary’s Church, Lace Market

Cllr Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport said: “It is absolutely right and fitting that, even in the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in, we remember the huge sacrifices that led to Victory in Japan and the end of the Second World War.

“We are pleased to be working with the County Council on commemorating this significant day in our history and working with Notts TV means we can bring the event to many people that would have come out to pay their respects in usual circumstances but cannot due to social distancing restrictions.

“Broadcasting live gives everybody a chance to watch the commemorations for Nottinghamshire at a time that is most convenient for them.

“We will also share images and video from the services via our partners after the event.”

Cllr Kay Cutts MBE, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “As we mark VJ Day, I would like to pay tribute to all those who fought in the Far East campaign, and in doing so take time to think and be thankful that were it not for the ultimate sacrifice made all those years ago by brave men and women, we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have today.

“Yours is not the Forgotten Army.

“Nottinghamshire veterans and their families will no doubt reminisce on one of the worst episodes in British Military history, during which tens of thousands of service men and women from across the Empire and Commonwealth were forced to endure the harsh realities of jungle warfare, and in some cases, the brutalities of prisoner of war camps.

“We must not forget that the Fourteenth Army was the most diverse in history.

“Veterans of the Far East campaign will be at the heart of the commemorations as the nation and Nottinghamshire thank them for their service and sacrifice.”

Crowd of people, many waving, in Times Square on VJ Day at time of announcement of the Japanese surrender in 1945

The Reverend Tom Gillum will lead the congregation through a series of readings, presentations, and pre-recorded interviews and hymns which will reflect the local involvement in the conflict.

There will also be a recorded interview with Colonel James Gunn – a British officer who served with Mountain Artillery Training Centre, Royal Artillery, in GB and India, 1945-1947 and with the 307 Field Regiment (South Notts Hussars), 1951-1966.

He will also reflect on his experiences as Colonel in the Royal Artillery at Bullwell Drill Hall, 1962-1966.

Deputy Lieutenant for the County Dr Jas Bilkhu will represent the Commonwealth.

Fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principal 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.

The small congregation will reflect this with representatives from the Polish, Muslim, and Gurkha communities, among others.

President of the local Royal British Legion in Nottinghamshire, Colonel David Sneath will also attend the event.

His work on local regiments – The Sherwood Foresters and the war in the Far East – will be presented as part of the service.

St Mary’s Church, Lace Market

The sermon will be delivered by Major General Timothy Cross CBE – a retired British Army officer and military logistics expert.

He has lectured both in the UK and elsewhere since his retirement and is a visiting professor at several British universities including the University of Nottingham, University of Reading and Cranfield University.

Since 2007, he has been army advisor to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.

The Army, Navy, and RAF will be represented as well as the Police and Fire and Rescue Services.

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)