A VILLAGE group will make sure the “forgotten heroes” who fought against Japan in the Second World War are not forgotten.

Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council will mark Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day) today.

It is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

British troops fought in Burma, now Myanmar, during the conflict, and prisoners were subjected to abuses by Japanese jailors.

The forces in the Far East were sometimes considered the “forgotten army” because of events in Europe in May 1945.

Fighting in Asia dragged on for many more months after Nazi Germany was defeated.

It took the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by two atomic bombs to bring the Japanese military rulers to the negotiating table and final surrender.

Willingdon and Jevington, near Eastbourne, are to stage a small commemoration, alongside the branch of the Royal British Legion on the South Downs, with a piper playing from 6am.

They will play the Last Post at 10.58am before a two-minute silence, followed by the Reveille at 11.02am.

Bugler Ray Bennett, of Oldfield Road, will be performing the music.

Meanwhile residents are encouraged to host front garden tea parties to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic and to mark the occasion safely.