Prince Philip marks the 60th anniversary of VJ Day

Aug 16, 2005, 14:33 GMT

Britain's Prince Philip joined Second World War veterans who fought in the Far East to mark the 60th anniversary of VJ Day yesterday.

VJ day celebrates the end of World War II, after Japan's surrender in 1945. The Duke of Edinburgh - who is patron of the Burma Star Association - served with the British Pacific Fleet and witnessed the final surrender of Japan. The prince was guest of honour at a reunion of the 14th Army veterans held at the Imperial War Museum in south London.

Those gathered remembered the historic day and those who died in battle. The prince greeted dignitaries, ex-PoWs, veterans and some families of those who served in the Far East on the steps of the museum.

Among them was the British actress Joanna Lumley, whose late father served with the legendary Chindits - an elite British unit that fought in Burma. They were treated to a performance by the Band of the Brigade Gurkhas.

The Duke also visited the museum's Children's War Exhibition before regaling veterans and former PoWs with wartime stories at the reception.

VJ Day - 15 August 1945 - followed the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs. The formal surrender was signed on 2 September.

Japan marked the 60th anniversary of its defeat with an apology for its wartime aggression.

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International