Farnham remembered the sacrifices and lives lost during the Second World War as the town marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan Day and the end of WWII.

There was a mixture of commemoration and celebration on Gostrey Meadow last Saturday as the Royal British Legion remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice ahead of a charity fete.

The fete included a display of old cars, motorbikes, army vehicles and memorabilia from WWII. Opening the fete after a two-minute silence was Farnham Town Mayor, Cllr George Murray.

Farnham RBL Chair Davie Waters wanted to remind everyone whilst the end of the war was a day of celebration, it came at a great cost and one that should never be repeated given the civilian lives lost.

Mr Waters said: “Today and this week as a nation we celebrate the absolute end to the second world war with Victory in the Far East.

“A victory, however, which came at a devastating cost of human life. Especially in the closing days of this conflict with the use of two atomic bombs the first being used on the city of Hiroshima on the 6th of August 1945, and the second on the city of Nagasaki on this day, 80 years ago.

“Almost 300,000 Japanese civilian lives were lost as consequence of this destruction.”

Members of the public gathered around the bandstand at Gostrey Meadow at midday for a few speeches by the RBL and Farnham Town Mayor. This was then followed by the Last Post being sounded and silence falling on the normally busy open space.

The RBL will be hosting a two-minute silence at the War Memorial in Gostrey Meadow this Friday, August 15, to remember the lives lost during WWII on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.