Bury marks 80th VJ Day anniversary with remembrance service at Parish Church

Saturday, 16 August 2025 08:05

By David Murphy

A service of reflection was held at the town's Second World War Memorial to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

A public service took place on Friday morning, 15 August, at the Second World War Memorial within the grounds of Bury Parish Church to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial and readings were shared from Bury’s historical archives, including personal accounts from 1945 and poetry written for the occasion. Residents gathered for the event, which lasted around half an hour.

The service was one of several activities taking place across the borough to mark the official end of the Second World War, following Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945.

Public buildings including Bury Town Hall and the Art Museum were lit red on Friday evening as part of the commemorations.

VJ Day – Victory over Japan – brought the global conflict to a close, months after Victory in Europe Day was marked in May 1945.

Bury has strong military links to the Far East campaign through the Lancashire Fusiliers, who served in Burma and later became part of the Chindits, a unit known for operating behind enemy lines.

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