VJ Day plans
6 August 2025
This year marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day – Victory over Japan Day – which brought the Second World War to a close on 15th August 1945. To honour this significant milestone, we invite you all to a special evening of remembrance in Diss Park on Friday 15th August at 8.15pm.
Hosted by Iain Sturgeon, Bandmaster of the Salvation Army, the commemoration will feature a poignant programme of tributes, music, and reflection. The Town Mayor will share a special letter from the perspective of a soldier, and Basil Abbott, Museum Manager, will share a powerful reading of Rudyard Kipling’s poem Road to Mandalay.
We are honoured to welcome a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, representing His Majesty the King, as our special guest for the evening.
As dusk falls, one of our two Diss' Honoured Citizens will join communities across the UK in a coordinated beacon lighting, symbolising unity and remembrance. This gesture offers a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made during the closing chapter of the war.
The ceremony will also include:
The unveiling of new inscriptions on the beacon seating to mark both VE and VJ Day 80.
A chance to join in patriotic songs and hymns as voices across the nation unite in remembrance.
Refreshments will be available from the Park Pavilion Kiosk throughout the evening.
A short dedication will take place before the event at the Royal Anglian Garden on Mere Street, revealing the new USAAF memorial and two commemorative rose plantings.
Diss Town Council is proud to organise this event in partnership with the generous support of local organisations, including the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association, and Salvation Army.
We’d also like to thank Mini First Aid in advance for their support on the night, Rosedale Funeral Home for producing the event programme, and Kingsley Homecare for their kind donation.
As we reflect on the legacy of the Second World War, this gathering is a chance to come together as a community – in peace, remembrance, and gratitude.
Let us honour those who served, celebrate the freedoms we cherish, and renew our commitment to protecting peace for future generations.
