A lone piper played on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, marking the end of the Second World War. Senior Pipe Major Peter Grant was one of six armed forces bagpipers playing simultaneously across the UK and East Asia.
The pipers all performed the traditional tune "When The Battle's O'er" at locations including the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the Cenotaph in London, a British Army camp in Kathmandu, the Royal Gurkha Rifles Memorial in Brunei, and aboard aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Far East. A wreath was laid at the Japanese Garden of Peace in Hammersmith, London.
King acknowledges war's human cost
King Charles delivered an audio message at 7:30am on Friday, paying tribute to the "courage and camaraderie" of those who fought in the Pacific and Far East during "humanity's darkest hour". He also acknowledged the hardships suffered by "innocent civilian populations of occupied territories".
"Their experience reminds us that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life - a tragedy all too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today," the King said. He emphasised the lasting impact of conflict on civilian populations.
"On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war's final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - a price we pray no nation need ever pay again," he added. The King concluded: "But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory."
National commemorations mark anniversary
A national two-minute silence was held at noon, followed by the Red Arrows joining historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for a flypast over commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum. Public buildings across the UK were illuminated on Friday evening.
Scottish sites included Stirling Castle, Scone Palace, Ness Bridge, the Kelpies, Glasgow Bridge, Hamilton Town House, and Edinburgh City Chambers. The commemorations marked eight decades since Japan's surrender ended the Second World War.
Scale of Far East campaign remembered
By 1945, some 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops had been deployed across Asia and the Pacific. More than 90,000 British troops became casualties in the war against Japan, with nearly 30,000 deaths.
Over 12,000 Britons were among 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as prisoners of war by the Japanese. The Allied forces suffered enormous losses, with the United States bearing the greatest cost at more than 100,000 killed in action.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
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