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Enniskillen to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
St. Macartin's Cathedral Enniskillen.
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental Association and the Inniskillings Museum will be marking the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August with a Service of Reflection and Remembrance at St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen at 11am.
This special service of remembrance will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War in the Far East.
Enniskillen is unique in the United Kingdom, being the “home” to two Regiments in the British Army: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (antecedent regiment of the Royal Irish Regiment) and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (antecedent regiment of the Royal Dragoon Guards).
The 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was the only Irish infantry battalion represented in the Burma Campaign. Their service in the Far East was marked by extraordinary hardship, suffering, and resilience. In the period 1942-1943, 425 Inniskilling soldiers lost their lives due to enemy action and disease. Of those, only 38 have known and marked graves. Many more were wounded, taken as prisoners of war, or listed as missing in action.
Maeve Cadden, Curator of the Inniskillings Museum, commented:
“This anniversary is a solemn reminder of the price of peace. Many of these men were young, far from home, and fighting in conditions few of us today can truly imagine. In respect of this historic occasion, we will come together to remember their names, their stories, and their legacy”.
All are welcome to attend this reflective service to remember those who gave their all for our freedom.