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Duke of Edinburgh joins VJ Day commemorations

London SE1 website team

Prince Philip came to the Imperial War Museum on Monday to join Second World War veterans to mark the 60th anniversary of VJ Day.

The Duke, who is patron of the Burma Star Association, was guest of honour at a reunion of Fourteenth Army veterans.

Up to 100 Fourteenth Army veterans and former Far East prisoners of war were at the event, to commemorate the hardships endured by those who lived through the war.

Prince Philip served with the British Pacific Fleet aboard HMS Whelp and witnessed the final surrender of the Japanese in 1945.

The royal visitor also toured the IWM's Children's War exhibition.

The reunion was also attended by the Minister for Armed Forces, Adam Ingram.

Adam Ingram said it was an enormous privilege to hear firsthand the memories of some of the men and women, and their relatives, who lived through the Second World War and, particularly, the War with Japan:

"It is important to demonstrate that the sacrifices made in World War Two are still valued and appreciated. Events like this one at the Imperial War Museum celebrate the lives of those men and women who endured such hardships.

"It also encourages people to pass on their own family's war story to future generations, giving them the opportunity to keep these important memories alive."

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