Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

It is an honour to speak today as we approach this incredibly important anniversary. Today is the day to celebrate the victory of democracy and freedom over fascism, as well as to remember all those who lost their lives, were taken prisoner or suffered during that fight. I believe that the most important thing we can do to honour their memory is to ensure that we never again return to the politics of fascism. Although VJ Day marks the end of the war, fascist politics are on the rise all over the world. We must never allow ourselves to be complacent or to think that our modern world is immune.

My community has its own story to tell about VJ Day. Names are remembered and listed on the roll of honour at St John’s church in Blackpool. One of my constituents wrote to me about the story of her grandad, Harold Rhodes, who was captured on 15 February 1942, alongside many other men, and taken to the notorious Changi prison camp. Harold was made to walk from Singapore to Burma via Thailand to work for the Japanese on the notorious death railway. He walked the last 100 miles of that 400-mile forced march on bare feet. It is said that one man died for every sleeper laid. Harold was released from Changi prison on 2 September 1945 and put on a ship for Rangoon, Burma. The purpose of the trip was rehabilitation for Harold and many other ex-prisoners, who were all extremely thin and needed to gain weight urgently. On arriving home after a three-month journey, he weighed 6 stone 5 lbs—heaven only knows what he weighed when he was released from Changi. Harold’s granddaughter—my constituent—says that he was the gentlest of men.

Harold’s story is that of so many men across the country. While Harold survived, many more died. Many starved to death and many died from cholera, malaria or dysentery. They are the men whose suffering we must remember. Their brutal treatment at the hands of the imperial Japanese army must serve as a reminder to us all of the horrors of war and strengthen our resolve to build a peaceful world. Their suffering did not end when the war ended. They spent their lives suffering from PTSD, limbs lost and long-term complications.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

I feel very moved to intervene on my hon. Friend because she is making such a powerful speech. As someone who previously represented part of her constituency, I know how much this will mean to her constituents. My grandfather had a Burma Star and he had scars all over his body. He never spoke of it but the long-lasting trauma these veterans faced lived with them throughout their lives and we do not recognise that enough. I would like to put that on the record.

[Lorraine Beavers]

I thank my hon. Friend very much for her intervention and totally agree with her analysis.

My school friend’s dad, George Brooks, suffered for the rest of his life from the ordeals he endured in the camps. As we approach the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the celebrations that will come with it, these stories must be constantly told. We remember the Blackpool Regiment, and everyone who has sacrificed their lives for our country since.