SEVENTY-three years have passed since the end of the war in the Far East, but the day was not forgotten by the Royal British Legion and the Burma Star Association.

The VJ service at the Burma Memorial in Blenheim Gardens was conducted by the Reve John Thorogood and was well supported by members of the British Legion and friends.

Among them were Minehead chairman Philip Collins, county chairman Major Bob MacDonald, standard bearer from Taunton Desmond Wilson, standard bearer from Taunton, and loyal supporters

Dr Glyn Court, the last surviving active local veteran of the Fourteenth, the so-called ‘Forgotten Army’, died in May this year, but was remembered by the words he had written for the service.

Captain Walter Godsal, who served in the Royal Navy, laid the wreath and also said the Kohima Epitaph. He was accompanied by Brigadier Godsal who read a passage from St John’s Gospel. A poem was read by Ross McKee and the Exhortation said by Bert Pearson.

The younger generation was represented by a group of air cadets from 1013 Minehead and District Squadron ATC.

The service concluded with a bugler playing the Last Post, followed by a two-minute silence, Reveille and the National anthem.