The bank holiday in May was changed to Friday 8th to enable celebrations to commemorate VE Day to take place, street parties and the like. I understand celebrations will still go ahead but obviously.in isolation and respecting social distancing. Now many of us were born after the war and don't really remember any of it or the privations that were endured. However, almost all of us, certainly those over 50, will have fathers, uncles perhaps brothers who were directly involved in the war and female relatives who were equally as involved but in a different way. The VE celebrations were meant to ensure everyone could celebrate the cessation of hostilities. Unfortunately, hostilities did not end in the Far East until August 1945 and when VJ came around I understand it was not celebrated in the same way, as to a certain extent the country had moved on. Many survivors of that theatre of war still believe they were somewhat ignored and not given the credit they deserved: The Forgotten Army.Well, perhaps after 75 years the country now has the opportunity to right that wrong. Whilst VE Day will still go ahead, I suggest it would be a good idea to move the significant celebrations for the end of WWII to August, to co-incide with VJ Day. The current situation will hopefully have been slightly alleviated by then and a bank holiday could be announced by Government. This kind of commemoration in August will signify not only the true end of WWII but also allow everyone to reflect on the sacrifices made by all the troops across all the theatres of war. It would also, rightly, place the members of that 'forgotten' army in the same category as everyone else who fought. A bank holiday in August might just, hopefully, allow everyone to celebrate the beating of the current virus. A double reason to celebrate and commemorate.
J. F. Bingham ● 2378d