The 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day was commemorated next to the Cenotaph in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth.

A moving service was held at the War Memorial at 11am on Saturday following a parade along the promenade.

Paul Watson, from Birmingham and chairman of the Children of Far East Prisoners of War group, said it important to remember those who fought in the region.

Pauline Coelho and Andrew Curtis have been talking about members of their family who fought in South-east Asia during the Second World War, ahead of special services across the area.

The VJ Day commemoration has always had particular significance locally because of the capture of the Preston-based 2nd and 5th Battalions of the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) at the fall of Singapore in 1942.

Timothy Lipscomb, the Vicar of Preston, said the day should not just be a reminder of what happened in 1945, but also to remember those still in conflict around the world.

For all the complexities of today’s world, we should pause and offer thanks that men and women across our land set aside their differences and dedicated their lives to a common objective – defending their nation.

VJ Day was when Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending the Second World War.

It followed the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It ended one of the worst episodes in British military history, during which tens of thousands of servicemen were forced to endure the brutalities of prisoner of war camps, where disease was rife and there was a lack of food and water.

The data relates to air strikes staged by Japan, casualties and damage caused by the Japanese invasion, the efforts by the government to catch Wang and other defectors who assisted Japan against the ROC, Lin said.

The Queen attended a remembrance service in London, while a minute’s silence was held at a ceremony in Tokyo. The wreath layers from left, the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Brenda Arthur; and veterans, Keith Smith, and Fred Fitch.

“It fills me with a great sense of pride to be here today on such a poignant occasion”.