Friday 15 August marked a very special date: 80 years since Japan surrendered, effectively bringing World War II to an end.
According to the Australian War Memorial (AWM), the day is known as Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day, commemorating Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945.
Twelve World War II veterans aged 98-102 were among those who attended the special 80th anniversary commemoration at the AWM on 15 August 2025.
Among the veterans were two Canberrans, including 102-year-old Les Cook.
“Well, there are three days a year nowadays that I’m remembering like this,” he told media.
“There’s Anzac Day, and the end of the war day, and the other one is the Battle for Australia Day on the first Wednesday in September.
“I feel a bit of a responsibility now, because 80 years is a long time.”
The AWM said Les was just 16 years old when he first tried to enlist after war broke out in 1939.
It wasn’t until after the Battle of Dunkirk in May 1940 that he was finally successful in joining the army. Les had just turned 17.
He first served in North Africa before moving on to Greece, Crete and Syria, followed by Kokoda, the Pacific campaigns and later the occupation of Japan.
He was at Balikpapan in Borneo when the war ended, before being deployed to Japan with the Australian contingent of the occupation forces.
Les’ father, Ernest, served in both World War I and II.
Another veteran who attended the service was 100-year-old Joyce Lorna Daymon (nee Watts), who travelled to the service from regional Victoria. During World War II she served as a flight mechanic, working on the training planes in both Western Australia and Victoria.
“I’m really and truly honoured to be here, I really am. I’m going to lay a wreath later,” she told CD.
“I look forward to everything to do with the Air Force that I was in.
“It’s just wonderful and I just loved every moment that I was in the Air Force; it was great.”
AWM director Matt Anderson told CD the presence of war veterans at the memorial for the anniversary reminded us that the war was real.
“That it was young men and young women who defended this nation 80 years ago,” he said.
“So for me, what does it mean? It just reminds us that there is both a very real human element to the wars in which we have fought and there is a very real human element today in honouring these remarkable men and women for the example they’ve set for every generation.
“Every generation of young men and women who’ve ever pulled on the uniform were inspired by them. I certainly was.”
He said the commemoration also served as a reminder that anyone who knows, or has a family member, who served in World War II and is still alive, should talk to them
“To listen to them and to learn from them because the lesson of the Australian War Memorial and certainly the lesson of the essence is ‘never again’, Mr Anderson said.
“They’re determined not to repeat this, but I think for me, the lesson of today is to embrace them, listen to them, learn from them, be inspired by them.
“And promise that the way in which we honour their service once they are gone is by ensuring that we don’t repeat the sins of the past.”
The soldier commemorated in Friday’s Last Post Ceremony at the AWM was Warrant Officer Class 2, Frederick Balfe Emanuel, whose life was cut short when his B-24 Liberator crashed during an operational flight over Borneo.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh MP welcomed the World War II veterans, members of the Diplomatic Corps, guests, and visitors to the special ceremony on Friday.
A statement by Mr Keogh said that from a nation of around 7 million, almost 1 million of those served in our armed forces and merchant navy in World War II. Some 40,000 didn’t return home.
He said the war changed the face of Australia forever; it impacted every town, and we forged new, enduring alliances.
“But as a nation under attack for the first time, the best of the Australian, indeed the Anzac spirit, shone through – with mates pulling together to help mates both at home and abroad,” Mr Keogh said.
“This special commemorative year, I acknowledge all those proud veterans who will join us to commemorate this anniversary, many who have reached their century – who will stand tall in services across the nation as we say thank you.”
Lest We Forget.
Canberra Daily would love to hear from you about a story idea in Canberra and the surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
Feeling social? Follow Canberra Daily: Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Tik Tok | YouTube
