The Commonwealth Secretary-General paid tribute to the sacrifice and service of the people of the Commonwealth during the Second World War at the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
In a service broadcast around the world from Westminster Abbey in London the Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey delivered a prayer which honoured the courage and bravery of Commonwealth countries and the significant role they played in defeating fascism in Europe.
More than 2,000 people attended the service at the Abbey, including the Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III, surviving veterans of the Second World War, and dignitaries from around the world.
In her prayer, Secretary-General Botchwey said:
“We give thanks for all nations who shared with us the trials of war in the pursuit of peace; for the grace of reconciliation and friendship between former enemies.
“Let us pray for the Commonwealth, and all our allies and partners today; for unity in diversity; for the healing and flourishing of all.”
During the Second World War, approximately six million men and women from across the Commonwealth served alongside British forces. More than five million originated from the British Isles, with 1,440,500 from India, 629,000 from Canada, 413,000 from Australia, 136,000 from South Africa, 128,500 from New Zealand, and more than 134,000 from other Commonwealth countries.
An estimated 580,000 Commonwealth soldiers and civilians lost their lives during the conflict.
Their legacy lives on in the Commonwealth’s shared commitment to uphold these values for future generations.
While VE Day on 8 May 1945 signalled the end of the war in Europe, many troops from across the Commonwealth continued fighting in the Far East and the Pacific.
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.
Their legacy was remembered at the Memorial Gates ceremony on Commonwealth Day on 10 March this year.
