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Horsham District Council’s chairman cllr Karen Burgess led the simple wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in the Carfax on Saturday 15 August.

She was accompanied by Jeremy Quin MP, the vice chairman cllr David Skipp and cabinet member for Horsham town centre cllr Peter Burgess.

Clive Longhurst, vice chairman of Horsham branch of the Royal British Legion laid a wreath as a mark of respect.

Ringers (from the left), Tom White, Mike Cattell, Val Burgess (Tower Captain), David Capewell, and Ian Smith.

A branch spokesman said there was a personal tribute laid by the family of a Burma soldier. He added: “This small Remembrance ensured the fallen were not forgotten.”

On August 15 day 75 years ago Japan surrendered and in effect ended the Second World War.

Traditional events which would normally happen to commemorate this day with live audiences were unable to take place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

To commemorate and celebrate VJ Day 2020, the council, in partnership with Silvertip films recorded a special celebratory performance by veteran musician Alan Woolven from Horsham’s Carfax bandstand.

Wreaths laid by council chairman councillor Karen Burgess and Jeremy Quin MP

The video performance premiered on Horsham Time Well Spent’s Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.

The performance features a duo act with local resident Alan Woolven, who was born in Horsham and played piano and accordion in concerts during the war, as well as Horsham diva Sarah Esser, singing in honour of VJ Day.

The bells at St. Mary’s, Horsham were also rung for 15 minutes at 11am to mark the day.

A service was also held at Southwater War Memorial on Saturday. Organisers said the service was conducted under government guidelines, by Rev Godfrey Kesari and Rev Kath Jones.

The Royal British Legion joined in paying respects on the anniversary

It was to remember the men that did not come back like former Southwater resident Private Alfred Godward who was killed in Burma at the age of 17.

To mark VJ Day the Beeding & Bramber Local History Society shared a photo of a street party celebrating the end of conflict.

In the Second World War, Upper Beeding lost eleven men, compared with 29 in the First World War.

The society said the war memorial is in the parish church, but the Parish Council also decided to buy the Ham field in the centre of the village as a recreation ground and thought this would be a fitting tribute to the wartime casualties. The Memorial Playing Field was officially opened on 6 March 1950

Acts of Remembrance in Horsham mark VJ Day