A commemoration ceremony took place today, 10th March, at the Memorial Gates in central 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, 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 8th 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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Today'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.
Lord Boateng CVO, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council, said:
“Remembering the sacrifice of so many throughout the Commonwealth who gave their lives and their service in defence of freedom has never been more important.
A troubled world today can learn from their example of courage and dedication that overcame all divisions of race religion and background to protect the values of a shared humanity
I am honoured to Chair the Memorial Gates Council as we rededicate ourselves to the task of insuring that a new generation is made aware through education and memorialisation of those who gave so much so that we might live in freedom.
The presence of Warrant Officer Hammond from Ghana at this event in his centennial year for which we are grateful is a precious reminder of the importance of that task. He is a visible symbol of the sacrifice of all those people from so many nations beyond these Island shores who served in the Burma Campaign
At today’s act of commemoration, we express our thanks and appreciation to him and all who served and sacrificed so much for us.
Veteran of the Burma Campaign, WO Joseph Ashitey Hammond said:
“As the very few Gold Coast (Ghana) veterans left, I am deeply proud to have served in the Second World War, fighting in India and Burma with the 3rd Infantry Battalion under the 14th Army of Great Britain. As an African soldier who took part in the war in the Far East, I take pride not only in our victory but also in our mission to restore peace to the world - a mission we fulfilled.
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Memorial Gates, I extend my profound gratitude to its Founder and the British government for preserving this important legacy. However, I urge the British government to also recognise the families of these brave warriors. They should have easier access to Britain and its territories as a meaningful gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices made by these veterans - men/women who laid down their today for our tomorrow.
I also take this opportunity to thank Rt. Hon. Lord Paul Boateng for his unwavering support of me and fellow veterans across the Commonwealth.”
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC 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. It is a profound honour to be joined by the inspirational WO Joseph Ashitey Hammond, a 100-year-old veteran of the Burma campaign, for today’s wreath-laying service as part of the Commonwealth Day celebrations. As Ghana’s last surviving veteran of the Second World War, his ongoing commitment to advancing international peace stands tall amid global instability and is a reminder to us all that we must learn the lessons of history to avoid repeating the horrors of war.”
The Bishop of Edmonton said:
“The contributions made by people from the Commonwealth countries in the great wars not only reminds us how connected our past was but also the present. The commemoration day offers us an opportunity to recommit ourselves to work for peace across the nations by way of honouring the sacrifices made by those brave individuals. M K Gandhi said, "we can bring peace to our world by showing our willingness to sacrifice our self-centred desires". May that be our shared ambition in this unpredictable global order.”
The Royal British Legion’s Director of Remembrance, Philippa Rawlinson said:
“The Royal British Legion is proud to pay tribute to the five million men and women from the Indian sub-continent, Nepal, Africa and the Caribbean who served during the First and Second World Wars, helping to protect the freedoms we enjoy today."
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Today’s ceremony at the Memorial Gates honours those who served in Asia and the Far East and whose efforts finally brought about the end of the Second World War 80 years ago, with Victory over Japan in August 1945. We pay tribute to the surviving veterans of the Second World War and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They will always be remembered.
The 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.
