Fusilier Museum lit up to remember the ‘Forgotten Army’ on 80th anniversary of VJ Day

Saturday, 16 August 2025 08:20

By David Murphy

Staff and Volunteers from the Fusilier Museum. Credit: Danny Crompton

Families gathered in Bury yesterday as the Fusilier Museum commemorated 80 years since VJ Day with community events and the launch of a new wartime exhibition.

The Fusilier Museum in Bury marked the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day yesterday, Friday 15 August, with a full day of tributes and activities, culminating in the launch of a new exhibition dedicated to the soldiers of the Far East.

The Forgotten Front Remembered, unveiled on Friday, explores the role of the Lancashire Fusiliers in the Burma campaign during the Second World War, a theatre often overlooked in favour of the European front. The exhibition includes rarely seen photographs, personal artefacts, uniforms, and several films, including one originally commissioned for the 75th anniversary in 2020. That project was never fully launched due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

Visitors were invited to explore stories from what came to be known as the ‘Forgotten Army’, a term that referred to the Allied troops who fought in Asia. The Lancashire Fusiliers, selected by Brigadier Orde Wingate to join the Chindits special forces unit, played a significant role in the campaign.

In addition to the exhibition, the museum hosted a lively celebration day for families. Children took part in arts and crafts, including medal-making and bunting design, while others dressed up in period uniforms inside the museum galleries. There were also object-handling sessions, face painting, and a ‘meet the object’ event led by museum staff in the Quartermasters Store.

Previous image Next image

1 of 18

Previous image Next image

More Galleries

Vintage Apple Fair & Mayor’s Charity Fun Day August 2025

Bury Hospice Charity Walk - Burrs Park Saturday 16 August 2025

VJ Day Bury Parish Church Remembrance Service 2025

Fusilier Museum VJ Day 2025

Credit: Danny Crompton

A short remembrance service was held in Gallipoli Garden to honour those who served and fell in the Far East.

At dusk, the outside of the museum was illuminated in red, white and purple in tribute to the Lancashire Fusiliers. The lighting display will continue across three nights, ending on Sunday evening.

Colonel Brian Gorski, Chairman of The Fusilier Museum, said:

“The Lancashire Fusiliers played a fundamental role in the Far East, so it is extremely important that we pay tribute to all those who contributed and ensured its success. We hope the new exhibition acts as a fitting tribute to the ‘Forgotten Army’ and is enjoyed by visitors old and new. The celebration day for families hopefully gave the local community a chance to get involved, and we’re proud to see the building illuminated in their honour once again.”

The Fusilier Museum is home to the collections of XX The Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, preserving over 300 years of military history. The new exhibition is now open, and children can visit for free with any full-paying adult throughout the school holidays.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

A56 closed after lorry overturns causing chaos for drivers in Rossendale

One of Lancashire’s busiest routes has been shut this morning after an articulated lorry overturned and smashed through the central reservation.
Hollingworth Lake and Watergrove running low as United Utilities urges Rochdale to save water

Reservoir levels fall below average across Greater Manchester, with United Utilities stepping up water-saving push as Rochdale faces summer surge
Apples, pies and big community spirit at Falinge Park’s first Vintage Apple Fair

Bakers, games and a runaway gazebo mark Mayor’s Charity Fun Day as a hit with families.
Rochdale to London bike ride raises over £36,000 for Gaza relief

Eight cyclists have completed a 240-mile ride from Rochdale to London, raising more than £36,000 for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Bury marks 80th VJ Day anniversary with remembrance service at Parish Church

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.
Memorial tree planted at Bury Cemetery to mark 80 years since VJ Day

A commemorative tree was planted by the Commonwealth War Graves area during Friday’s tributes to the end of the Second World War.
Roof restoration approved for historic Rochdale Touchstones building

Plans to replace the historic roof of Rochdale’s Grade II listed Touchstones Arts and Heritage Centre have been given the go-ahead, marking the next step in a multi-million pound renovation to transform the site into a major creative hub.
Life at the last stop of the M62 before Yorkshire

Sitting on the edge of Greater Manchester, at the foot of the Pennines, sits a town and a village bisected by the M62 motorway.
What people want to see in town’s new market hall

A wide ranging £100M redevelopment of Prestwich centre is underway which will eventually see the creation of a market hall that opens straight onto a village square.
Rochdale and Middleton college students land university places after T-Level and BTEC success

Young people across Rochdale and Middleton are celebrating life-changing university offers and job wins after receiving their college results on Thursday.
Rochdale Sixth Form College hails 99.2% A Level pass rate and Oxbridge success

Rochdale Sixth Form College has once again confirmed its place among the UK’s top sixth form institutions after reporting a 99.2% A Level pass rate and nearly half of university-bound students heading to elite institutions.
Local students shine as Rochdale Sixth Form celebrates standout A Level results

A morning of pride and celebration unfolded at Rochdale Sixth Form College as students, parents, and staff gathered to mark an exceptional A Level results day filled with ambition and success.