The UK Armed Forces marked the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day) with a solemn and reflective service held at the National Memorial Arboretum.

A World War Two special forces veteran says a service to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day will be "a really poignant moment for those of us left". Charlie Richards, 104, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, is one of 33 Far East and Pacific war veterans attending the service at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Victory over Japan Day is marked each year on 15 August - the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces and World War Two ended.

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - On August 15, 1945, the world celebrated victory over Japan and the end of World War II after two atomic bombs were dropped on its cities. Japan surrendered on August 14, but the celebrations were worldwide the next day.

A military parade to honour the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day took place on Saturday, and here are the best pictures from the day. The event, marking the end of the Second World War, was held in Southampton on Saturday, August 16, and began in Watts Park before concluding in Palmerston Park.

A 100-year-old World War Two veteran said VJ Day did not seem to be of any "great consequence" at the time, even though he was serving in the Pacific. Richard Clegg, from Bozeat, near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was on board HMS Victorious on 15 August 1945 when Japan surrendered.

COMMENTARY: On the 80th anniversary of the Allies’ victory over Japan in World War II, it is essential that we look at our moral failures and vices as well as our victories and virtues.

VJ Day commemoration service at Haverfordwest Cenotaph remembered British troops’ sacrifice in the war against Japan

Memorials have been held across the West to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) – signifying the end of World War Two. Crowds took part in a national two-minute silence at 12:00 BST led by the King, Queen and Prime Minister Keir Starmer from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.