VJ Day commemorated at the cenotaph in Barry

A small ceremony marked the 75th anniversary of VJ Day - Victory over Japan Day - at the cenotaph, outside the Memorial Hall.

The covid-19 pandemic has limited the commemoration of the anniversary across the country, but Barry Town Mayor, Cllr. Margaret Wilkinson and the Town Council leaders, alongside representatives from Royal British Legion, laid wreaths of commemoration at the cenotaph, in Barry.

Representatives included Veteran Stan Smith, 94. of Barry, who was at the surrender of Japan.

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The British Fourteenth Army, often referred to as the “Forgotten Army”, was a multi-national force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during the Second World War.

As well as British Army units, the army also included units from the Indian Army and from West and East African divisions within the British Army.

Operations in the Burma Campaign were often overlooked by the contemporary press, and remained more obscure than those of the corresponding formations in Europe for long after the war.

For most of the Army's existence, it was commanded by Lieutenant-General William Slim and was the second largest commonwealth force, with nearly a million men by late 1944.

"When you go home don't worry about what to tell your loved ones and friends about service in Asia.

"No one will know where you were, or where it is if you do.

"You are, and will remain "The Forgotten Army"." ― attributed to General Slim.

This event was not open to the public and followed, in the full, Welsh Government guidelines in regard to social distancing and outdoor events protocol.