A national two-minute silence will be held at midday on Friday, August 15 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Various events are taking place nationally, but here are some of those that have been organised in Cambridgeshire.
Chatteris
The 80th Anniversary of VJ Day will be remembered on August 15 in Chatteris. Events organised by the Chatteris branch of the Royal British Legion.
12pm - Two minute silence at War Memorial
2pm - Service at War Memorial
2.30pm - Afternoon Tea in Bricstan Hall
Tickets £5 available rom Chatteris RBL at: chatterisrbl@gmail.com and Tel: 07980 266076.
Cambridge
Cambridge City Council will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) with a church service at Great St Mary’s Church on Friday, August 15 at 11am.
The service is open to everyone – attendees should arrive at the church by 10.45am to be seated in time for the start of the service.
The service will culminate with a flyover of the Catalina Flying Boat, the only World War II flying boat that remains airworthy in Europe. The Catalina Flying Boat will fly over Great St Mary's church at 12.15pm upon the conclusion of the service.
Ely
The City of Ely Council and the Royal British Legion will mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday, August 15.
There will be a full day of reflection and commemoration which begins at 10.45am with a ceremonial raising of the VJ Day 80 Flag, followed by a service at Ely’s War Memorial.
At midday, there will also be national silence for two minutes will be observed.
The city will then come together once again at 6pm at St Mary’s Church, in Ely, where the Royal British Legion and members of St Mary’s Church will be hosting a VJ Day tea party.
Then, at 7pm, St Mary’s Church there will be a service of remembrance and thanks-giving.
The day will conclude with a beacon lighting ceremony, part of a coordinated national initiative to symbolise the light of peace emerging from the darkness of conflict.
Sing! Choirs will be joining the community to provide musical entertainment to mark the occasion. The beacon will be lit at approximately 7.45pm by command of the mayor of Ely, accompanied by members of the Royal British Legion and local cadet forces.
Huntingdon
Candlelit Vigil at on Friday, August 15 at the Priory Road Cemetery, beginning at 7.30pm.
Organised by Huntingdon Town Council, the event will include a short service outside the chapel and an opportunity for members of the public to lay candles on the Commonwealth War Graves.
A wreath-laying ceremony will also be held earlier in the day at Huntingdon Market Square at 10.55am, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am.
The events are open to all, with no booking required.
Littleport
Littleport will be honouring the memory of its sons who fell serving in the Far East on Friday, August 15.
The Littleport Branch of the Royal British Legion led by its chair, Councillor Martin Goodearl, is hosting a wreath-laying ceremony at Littleport’s War Memorial on the green opposite St George’s Church on Church Lane at 18.30 hours.
After this act of remembrance, at which Littleport Ex-Servicemen’s Club will be represented by its secretary Peter Ginn, at 7pm at the club on Ponts Hill CB61PZ. The legion is holding a free musical event with Kathryn Buck singing songs from the war years and Wayne’s Disco. Everyone is welcome.
March
Act of Remembrance at the town's War Memorial on August 15 at 11.45am for an 11.50am start. The two-minute silence is at midday.
The event will include local dignitaries, including the mayor of March, Cllr Andrew Woollard, the Rev Andrew Smith as well as representatives from the armed forces. President of the March RBL Peter Michell will also attend and will be joined by president of the Ladies Section Pat Lowe.
Public welcome to attend as is anyone with a WW2 vehicle.
Sawtry
A commemoration of those who gave their lives in the war against Japan and the end of WW2 will take place on Friday, August 15 at 9am for a flag-raising ceremony at Sawtry Village Hall.
This will be followed by a short service of remembrance at the War Memorial at 9.30am.
St Ives
A special commemorative service will be held at the newly refurbished War Memorial, the Cross of Sacrifice in Market Hill, starting at 11.50am on Friday, August 15, with a national two minute silence held at midday.
At 12.15pm the bells will ring at the Parish Church, followed by tea and biscuits at the Ivy Leaf Club.
Peterborough
A poignant ceremony to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought for their country will take place in Peterborough to mark VJ Day.
A civic procession and service led by the mayor, Cllr Judy Fox, along with the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Brigadier Tim Seal takes place on August 15, from 2.30pm outside Peterborough Town Hall in Bridge Street and everyone is invited to attend.
Cllr Judy Fox, Mayor of Peterborough, said: “I would encourage everyone to come along to this poignant ceremony recognising those who gave so much. VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and it is vitally important that we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude.
A national two-minute silence will also be held at 12 noon on Thursday 15 August 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
Soham
The Soham RBL will be commemorating the anniversary on Saturday, August 16. They will hold a Drum Head Service on the town's Recreation Ground in the morning. There will be an exhibition and refreshments in the Scout Hut. Exhibition opens at 10am; service at 11am; Refreshments at 11.20am and event closes at 12pm.
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