Celebrate V J 75.
Merton Heritage Service has produced a range of resources to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day ( 15 August 1945 ), celebrating the end of World War 2 and the courage of the wartime generation.
We hope that these resources will help Merton residents and those living farther afield to learn more about this pivotal moment in world history and enable them to share their own family heritage.
Online Displays:
Click on the links below to access more pictures and information about World War II in the Far East.
|
Britain's War in the Far East ( IWM )
|
Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf VC |
What is VJ Day? ( BBC: for children) VJ Day : Facts & Figures ( Independent )
|
VJ : Words and Pictures
Follow the links below to find poems, music and archive film about the Far Eastern campaign and the end of World War II.
VJ: Reminiscence Material
Click on the links below to access the personal recollections of wartime veterans
|
|
|
|
VJ: Test Your Knowledge
|
|
|
|
VJ Craft Activities:
|
|
Add to the Children's Peace Monument ( Make a paper Crane - online tutorial ) |
|
Where can I find more information?
If you would like to know more about an ancestor who fought in the Far East or spent time as a Prisoner of War, the following links will show you how and where to find more information.
|
National Archives extracts feature transcripts and audio files. Although aimed at a school audience, they provide access to original sources which can normally only be seen at the archives in Kew. The Fall of Singapore and Burma’s ‘Forgotten Army Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima and the Atom Bomb At present if you register with the National Archives and create an account ( at no extra cost,) you can access free downloads of : Military honours & awards 1935 - 90 ( Normally there would be a £3.50 charge for downloading this material. ) |
You can browse a range of wartime newspapers online. The British Newspaper Archive offers a free trial period and subscription access. The Australian Newspaper Archive can be searched free of charge and holds a wealth of wartime material.
|
Prisoner of War records: Material held by the National Archives has been digitised and is available ( for a fee ) via Find My Past. Further information on POWs is also available from: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission International Red Cross Archives For details of life as a POW visit: COFEPOW - its Research database holds everything from stories and casualty lists to liberation questionnaires
|
|
In March 1942, thousands of British and Indian civilians fled Burma when Japanese troops arrived. When Rangoon fell into Japanese hands sea and air routes were closed off – the only alternative was to walk north to India, a journey which took up to three months. Around 220,000 refugees survived. The Anglo-Burmese Library has copies of the official reports, evacuee lists and diaries as well as personal recollections.
|
Follow this links for recollections about the Fall of Singapore. This BBC page features links to multiple personal accounts of the Japanese invasion and the eventual surrender of British troops.
|
For personal accounts of military service and fighting in India, Burma and Malaysia, click on this link to the: BBC People's War website
|
How can I preserve my family's war stories?
Share your memories with Merton Heritage Service.
We are keen to ensure that the memories and experiences of those who fought in the Far East are preserved for posterity. If you, or one of your friends or relatives served in this campaign and would like to share your stories, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Merton Heritage Service by email: local.studies@merton.gov.uk or you can write to:
Merton Heritage Centre, Merton Civic Centre, London Rd. Morden SM4 5DX.
Add an entry to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website.
You can pay a simple tribute to a friend or relative by uploading a photo or memory to the Wall of Remembrance
Merton During World War II
For more information about Merton during the Second World War, click on this link to our Battle of Britain and VE Day resources.