THE OFFICIAL end of the Second World War was marked in Cleobury Mortimer on Friday with events to commemorate VJ (Victory in Japan) Day.
The organisers said before the day that, although VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May was important, VJ Day was equally so and deserved similar prominence.
The Cleobury Mortimer branch of the Royal British Legion held the celebrations and the Town Council flew the special flag on the town flag pole – a Union Flag overlain with ‘VJ Day 15 August 2025’.
The flag pole stands at the western end of the War Memorial Garden and it was there a brief ceremony took place, led by the rector, Rev Ashley Buck.
Eight members of the Royal British Legion branch, complete with the standard, stood in the War Memorial Garden, while about 45 members of the public watched from outside the garden.
Following this short ceremony, everyone walked up to the Talbot Yard where several dozen others joined in a procession up to the Sports Field.
There, the beacon had been loaded during the afternoon.
Watched by more than 80 people, a second prayer ceremony was held by the rector before past chairman Jim Hulme declaimed the Loyal Exhortation, chairman and bugler David Taylor sounded the Last Post and the Reveille, Mr Hulme then recited the Kohima Epitaph and the beacon was lit by Mark Baldwin.
The AGM of the Branch takes place at 7pm on September 10.
The active Cleobury Mortimer Royal British Legion branch always welcomes new members.
Anyone interested should call 01299 270110 for a membership form.
