VE Day remembererd

2:40pm Friday 9th May 2008

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THE anniversary of VE Day was marked by a special service in Victoria Square with veterans and members of the public observing a two-minute silence at Bolton's war memorial.

The veterans gathered at Bolton Town Hall yesterday and led a procession to the square, where a 20-minute service was led by the former Vicar of Bolton, Canon Michael Williams.

Canon Williams said: "On this day we remember all those who served in the armed forces for so many nations during the Second World War. We thank God for the sacrifices they made."

He also called for reconciliation, peace and understanding in all the nations of the world.

The Last Post was played at 11am to mark the start of the two-minute silence.

Bob Longworth, the branch secretary of the Bolton Royal British Legion, read out the citation.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Barbara Ronson, laid the first wreath at the war memorial and Canon Williams later read a final prayer before the national anthem ended the Victoria Square ceremony.

Speaking after, Mr Longworth, aged 73, of Chorley Old Road, said: "The number of people coming is dwindling a little but it was a nice ceremony."

VE Day - May 8, 1945 - was the date when German forces surrendered unconditionally and peace was declared in Europe.

Shortly before midnight, the surrender was formally signed in the outskirts of Berlin, ending the Second World War on the continent.