KET friend and longtime supporter David Thorneley has very kindly shared news and photos of the VJ Day 80 commemorations in Sidmouth which took place on 15th August 2025 and where David very kindly laid a wreath on behalf of KET, as seen below:
The article by James Walker and shared to the Sidmouth Herald:
On a splendid summer Friday morning - and later a similarly fine evening - Sidmouth paid tribute and gave thanks to those who gave up some of their best years, and others their lives, in return for ‘Victory Over Japan’.
Around 30,000 British servicemen gave their lives in the Far East, with over 12,000 of them dying as prisoners.
Reverend Sarah Mounoury presided over a simple, well-articulated service. Wreaths were laid at R.W. Sampson’s war memorial, which with its flourishing floral boxes brimming over with natural colour, looked magnificent. Remembering our fallen servicemen should not be an entirely sombre affair, the bright flowers acknowledge the ardour and cheerfulness of young lives cut short.
Similarly impressive was the standard party of John Hayes (Army Veteran), Adrian Clode (RN Veteran) and RNOCA Chair Peter O’Brien, whose appearance leant the occasion a smart martial tone.
In the evening, the church bells were rung at length, and in response, a crowd about two hundred gathered for a repeat of the earlier service.
The full town band performed beautifully as hymns were sung in the sweet evening air. A contingent of army cadets represented uniformed services, the Fire and Rescue service represented the home guard and a contingent of veterans from all three services
Reverend Sarah explained the meaning and poignance of the Kohima Epitaph and the new chair of Sidmouth Town Council, Hilary Nelson, spoke eloquently about the significant of the occasion.
Fiona Harvey’s playing of the Last Post was immaculate as usual.
The service was concluded by singing “God Save the King”. With the lighting of the beacon as the final act of a well supported and moving day of commemorations, by all the generations, for the VJ Day 80th anniversary,
