VJ Day Remembrance
From Ampthill Past Memories by The Ampthill and District Preservation Society
January 14, 2026 · 9 min
About this episode
This episode commemorates the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day with reflections and tributes to local veterans.
This special edition of the Ampthill Past Memories podcast marks the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. On Friday 15 August 2025, the people of Ampthill gathered in the town square, joined by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King, the town mayor, Councillor Steve Addy, and fellow ward and town councillors, to honour those who served, sacrificed, and endured during the Second World War in the Far East. We pay particular tribute to the local men of the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, many of whom suffered immense hardship as prisoners of war, and whose courage remains an enduring part of Ampthill’s history. This episode returns to that poignant moment, featuring the proclamation delivered by town crier Kelvin Horton, reflections from army veteran Terry McHugh, and the moving sounds of the Last Post and Reveille played by Louis Sherry of the Ampthill Town Band. This recording is shared with grateful thanks to Martin Fryer and Ron Taylor of the Far East Prisoners of War Family for permission to use their invaluable research and data. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society…
People in this episode
Host: The Ampthill and District Preservation Society
Guest: Terry McHugh
Topics covered
- VJ Day
- remembrance
- Second World War
- local history
- Ampthill
Keywords
- VJ Day
- Ampthill
- Second World War
- remembrance
- local history
- veterans
- 5th Battalion
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ampthill Town Band, Far East Prisoners of War Family
Places: Ampthill
More episodes of Ampthill Past Memories
- Sheila Smith · January 26, 2026 · 32 min
- Almshouses and Workhouses · January 16, 2026 · 23 min
- 14 Dunstable Street · January 7, 2026 · 24 min
- Bert Harris - WWII Japanese Prisoner of War - SPECIAL EPISODE · August 18, 2025 · 22 min
- Alan Bush Part 4 · July 28, 2025 · 55 min
- Alan Bush Part 3 · July 25, 2025 · 1h 18m
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