Today marks the 79th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Known as Victory in the Pacific – or VP Day – it commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender.
Australia had been at war for five years, 11 months and 11 days when on 15 August 1945, news broke that the war was finally over.
Australian forces were engaged in campaigns across the Pacific – in New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain, Borneo, and in the Philippines – and Australian prisoners of the Japanese were spread throughout Asia.
A number of commemorative services are being held across NSW and around the world to commemorate this day and acknowledge the service of our veterans.
Second World War veteran Don Kennedy was the guest speaker at the VP Day commemoration held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney. He had his first experience in the Merchant Navy in February 1944 at the age of 16, cruising out through the Heads on the Seirstad, destined for the Atlantic.
Although Mr Kennedy wasn’t trained to fight in the war or even acknowledged as a member of the services at the time, the commitment he and others made in the Merchant Navy was no less significant.
He was one of many veterans who shared their story in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. View the veterans’ stories here: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/nsw-stories/theme/75th-anniversary-stories
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
“Today on VP Day we come together to remember all those men and women who served during the Second World War, in our Navy, Army, Air Force, the Merchant Navy and nursing, and thank them for their sacrifices, through conflict and, for many, long periods in captivity.
“We honour the nearly 1 million Australians who served, and the 39,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace and the freedom we enjoy to this day.
“August 15 is a date our nation will never forget, as it brought an end to the war that was fought so close to our shores.”
Second World War veteran Don Kennedy said:
“I tell people I was 17 months in the war. There was only half an inch of metal between you and the sea if a torpedo struck the ship. We did what we could to help protect our nation.
“Keeping watch on board at night was a nerve-wracking experience for crew. All ships navigated without any lights at all on the outside to avoid detection by the enemy. You couldn’t even smoke outside on the deck at night.”