Covid-19 limited numbers at Wellington’s war memorial in the town’s park on Saturday for the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in the Far East.

Only the president of the Wellington branch of the Royal British Legion, Michael Rose, chairman and standard bearer Bob Trickey, Mayor of Wellington Cllr Janet Lloyd and Victoria Osborne of Wellington Silver Band, as well as a few members, were

present.

The ceremony began at 11am when the president opened proceedings. He said: “We commemorate today all those servicemen and women who campaigned in the Far East theatre of war whether on land, sea or in the air to achieve victory and to bring freedom to all those occupied countries.

“No one must forget the appalling conditions under which they, including many from this town, laboured and the brutality suffered by anyone taken prisoner.

“The life we enjoy today was made possible by their sacrifices and courage, and to quote Field Marshall Slim, who commanded the XIV Army, known as the Forgotten Army, moral courage is the courage that makes him do what is right because he believes it is right.”

The president then gave the Kohima exhortation: “When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

Following two-minutes silence, marked by the Last Post and Reveille played by Victoria Osborne, the Mayor laid a wreath on behalf of the town council.