An annual commemoration ceremony took place at the Memorial Gates in London to honour the servicemen and women from the Commonwealth who served alongside the Allied Forces during the First and Second World Wars.
Since 2002, this annual wreath-laying ceremony has been a key feature of Commonwealth Day in early March, with High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth coming together to pay tribute. This year’s event is particularly significant, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War – a conflict that shaped the modern world, affected every continent, and involved hundreds of millions of people.
While Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 signalled the beginning of the war’s conclusion, many troops continued fighting in the Far East and the Pacific, with some redeployed from Europe rather than returning home. The Fourteenth Army, Britain and the Commonwealth’s principal fighting force in these regions, remains one of the most diverse in history, with soldiers speaking over 40 languages and representing all major world religions. Today, the descendants of these veterans are an integral part of communities across the UK, reflecting the lasting legacy of their sacrifice and camaraderie.
The war in the Asia-Pacific theatre came at a significant cost. Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), observed on 15th August 1945, marks the day Japan surrendered, bringing the Second World War to an end.
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Last week’s commemoration at the Memorial Gates serves as a reminder of the contributions, sacrifices, and enduring legacy of Commonwealth service personnel, recognising their role in shaping the freedom and values we uphold today.
The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, said: “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Memorial Gates service honours so many from across the Commonwealth who served and sacrificed their lives for freedom.”
“Gates also recognise the contribution of these men and women, and their descendants, to the multicultural society we live in today. This ceremony highlights the vital contribution of people from across the Commonwealth who stood together to bring the last global conflict to an end,” noted Philippa Rawlinson, the Royal British Legion’s Director of Remembrance.
