A TOUCHING service marked the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day at the Upper Dovercourt War Memorial.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations gathered for a fitting service at 11am on Sunday August 16.

The day marked 70 years since Japan surrendered, officially ending a war which claimed around 60 million lives.

A summary of the closing days of the Second World War in Europe and the Far East was read, along with prayers and tributes by the secretary and members of the Royal British Legion.

Ronald Scutcher, chairman of the Royal Naval Association, Harwich Branch, said: “It went really well, the amount of people who stood to pay their respects was nice to see.

“The performance of Tendring Brass Band member Chloe Jay, who played the Last Post and Revielle, was excellent.

“One thing which was particularly poignant with our local branch is the memory of one of our old veterans, George Badland, who passed away in September 2010.

“He was held captive by the Japanese for 18 months during the war, and I know he would have wanted to have been here today.”

Following the Act of Remembrance and the playing of the Last Post, standards for the Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association and Royal Air Forces Association were lowered by representatives from each organisation.

The wreaths were then laid at the foot of the Upper Dovercourt War Memorial.