The council will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day with a number of commemoration events across the borough.
Members of the armed forces, mayor of Rochdale, councillor Janet Emsley, councillors and residents will gather to pay their respects and remember the fallen at services in Rochdale, Castleton, Middleton, and Heywood.
On Thursday, 14 August 2025 there will be an evening commemoration service at Rochdale Cenotaph, starting at 9.30pm, led by the Royal Regiment of Fusilier Association. The service will include speeches, the playing of the Last Post and the opportunity for people to reflect and remember.
On Friday, 15 August 2025, a beacon lighting service at Castleton Memorial will be held, marking the moment 80 years ago when the guns fell silent and the Second World War came to an end.
The Castleton service, which starts at 8.30pm, will be an opportunity to honour the courage and contribution of those involved in the final moments of the war. As the sun sets, a beacon will be lit marking the moment our forces were finally coming home.
On Saturday, 16 August 2025 the Middleton branch of the Royal British Legion, councillors and residents will come together at Middleton Memorial Gardens for a special service of commemoration. The service, which begins at 10.55am, will include readings, the playing of the Last Post and the laying of wreaths.
The final service of the VJ Day 80th anniversary commemorations will take place at Heywood Memorial Gardens on Saturday, 16 August 2025, starting at 1pm. Heywood Veterans Association will lead on the service, where the community will come together to pay their respects.
Councillor Emsley said:
“I am so proud of how our Armed Forces family, the community and the council pull together to put these services on ensuring our history is not forgotten. These will be moving and emotional services of commemoration, as we come together to remember the moment the guns finally fell silent and peace was declared. Residents are very welcome at any of the services in Rochdale, Castleton, Middleton and Heywood.
“Victory over Japan Day was an historic moment, where allied forces finally defeated evil and secured our peace. We will come together across the borough to mark this historic moment and remember with gratitude those brave men and women who fought to protect our freedoms, liberty and values. Sadly, many of our army personnel didn’t make it home and this is an opportunity, 80 years on, to pay our respects to the fallen. We will always remember them. Lest we forget.”