VJ Day: Lee-on-the-Solent organisers to hold online event to mark 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two

Following the Lee VE75 online event in May, which was put on after the physical celebrations were cancelled, organisers decided to mark the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender on August 15.

The event will be online from 11am and can be viewed on Facebook at Lee Victory Festival, and will feature remembrance services alongside performances from 1940s singers.

Organiser Jonathan Moore will be hosting the 10-hour event from his property, to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible.

Jonathan said: ‘It’s amazing, we reckon 10,000 people were entertained throughout VE Day. I said to the team we need to do something for VJ Day because it is forgotten and there’s this forgotten army.

‘We were thinking of doing a couple of hours but all of a sudden it materialised into the same size event as VE Day. We have a total of 15 artists supporting us with a 16th doing the Last Post and reveille.

‘The real icing on the cake for me is a personal address from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, I’m very pleased to have that.’

SEE ALSO: Havant church to live-stream VJ Day commemorations on Facebook

Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson has recorded a seven-minute address, which will be used as part of the remembrance service at 1pm, which also features the Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain from St Faith’s Church.

To support the event, Lee-on-the-Solent will have 60 union flags up in the High Street and Pier Street so the nation's colours are presented.

Jonathan added: ‘The veterans who sacrificed their own lives, a lot of them served our country to give us our freedom. These ladies and gents are in their late 90s, a lot of them are passing so this legacy of remembrance and hearing first hand what they went through is paramount.

‘I think it’s key these people are remembered because tomorrow they might be gone and those memories should be remembered. It’s just to say thank you.’

More information about the lineup of the day can be found on the Lee Victory Festival Facebook page at facebook.com/LeeVictoryFestival

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.