RESPECTS were paid to those who fought in the Second World War at the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

Old and young gathered in Victoria Square united in their gratitude to those who lost their lives.

A service was held to mark the commemoration led by the Venerable Alan Wolstencroft, who has previously held the titles of Archdeacon of Manchester and Vicar of Bolton.

The Mayor of Bolton Cllr Carole Swarbrick said: “I would like to begin by paying tribute to all the veterans joining us and assure them that we as the Bolton family continue to be proud of their role during the dark years when Britain was at war.

“Today we particularly remember the two and a half million brave members of the armed forces who served in the Far East.

“This was the longest campaign of the war and they experienced severe and dreadful deprivation and hardship.

“They were sometimes referred to as the forgotten army . They are not forgotten.

“Seventy years later we remember them all and we ensure the memory of their contribution lives on.”

In military tradition the Last Post was played before veterans, members of the public and politicians all took part in a two minute silence.

Nora Sabini, aged 91, of Bolton who was at the service said: “We are very lucky to still be here 70 years later.

“I was in London, in the war office on August 15, so everyone was going mad.

“I was trying to find my way home and I couldn’t get through the crowds — it was quite a fun day.

“It is important to remember the ones we have lost in the war and I hope the younger generation never have to face anything like that.”

Brian Clare, aged 77, who served in the Royal Artillery, was at the service.

He was proudly wearing the war medals of his father Gregory Clare who was killed in war in 1942 aged 26. He laid a wreath in his memory.

Cedric Adamson, aged 80, of the Royal Artillery, who moved to Bolton from Rochdale said: “There’s been a sad few times in my life losing friends in the service along the way.

“It’s like a big club when you have been in with the same people for so long you are like brothers.

“I was only a lad in the war but I can definitely remember, we used to live on a main road and all the tanks were going past and planes flying over and bombs did drop just two or three miles away from where we lived.

“Even now those craters are still there.”

Dave Thomas, Standard Bearer at the service for Bolton United Services Veterans Association said he was honoured and humbled to be at the event.

He said: “It is very very important to pay respects to what these men did for us and keep their memory alive through time and I hope it will be carried on for years to come."