The Ross-on-Wye branch of the Royal British Legion held a special event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VJ day on Saturday, August 15th. VJ day is held to remember the day the Japanese surrendered to the allies in 1945, signalling the complete end to the Second World War.

There was entertainment during the day, with live music at the bandstand, Phil from the Riders Branch of the RBL was there with his Paint Ball Range and the Coleford ladies joined them with a cake stall.

The Mayor of Ross, Colin Gray, lit the beacon at the Prospect at 9pm following a short Service of Remembrance.

One local lady who remembers VJ day very clearly is Beryl Goodland. She spent her childhood in China with her parents, Gordon and Eva Welch, who were missionaries with the China Inland Mission. When war was declared, Beryl, along with the rest of the missionaries and their children, were rounded up by Japanese soldiers and sent to a various Concentration Camps. Beryl was in Weihsien (Weifang) when the war finally ended. She wrote to the Ross Gazette to share her experience as war ended with readers.

To read Beryl Goodland’s story, pick up this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.