A ceremony and two-minute silence was held in Farnham last Friday (August 15) to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.

The Royal British Legion led the tribute to those who fought and died in the war during a small but poignant service at the town’s war memorial.

And in particular, The Forgotten Army - those who continued to fight or to remain prisoners of war in the Far East after war in Europe came to and end in May 1945.

Davie Watters, chairman of the Farnham Branch of the RBL, read extracts from The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquart who had served with The Gordon Highlanders and was captured by the Japanese in 1942.

Despite 750 days in captivity, working on the notorious Thai–Burma Railway (the ‘Death Railway’), spending five days alone on a raft, then being forced to work in a mine, Urquhart wrote: “Life is worth living and no matter what it throws at you.

“It’s important to keep your eyes on the prize of happiness that will come. Even when the Death Railway reduced us to little more than animals, humanity in the shape of our medical officers triumphed over barbarism.”

Davie Watters and Cllr Alan Earwaker, retired Mayor of Farnham, then planted a rose on behalf of townspeople in remembrance of all those who had fought and died in the war, including the many who have often been overlooked.

The ceremony was attended by Rev’d Alexa Russell, rector of the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale, who said: “This is an important day to mark and remember those who have seemingly been forgotten.

“It is a privilege to take the time to listen to the stories and gather together to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.”