WAR veterans have paid their respects to friends who lost their lives in the six-year Burma campaign, on the 57th anniversary of VJ day.

On Friday, almost 30 former soldiers wearing full uniform paraded in Salisbury's market square to commemorate the end of the war with Japan and the sacrifice made by many of their colleagues.

Members of the Burma Star Association who fought in the Far East during World War II were joined by the Normandy Veterans, the Royal Naval Association, the RAF Association and the Royal Artillery at a ceremony in front of the war memorial at 11am.

Wreaths were laid to honour the dead and a silence observed before the Last Post was played.

The veterans then attended a service at the Burma Star plaque in the cathedral, conducted by the Reverend Arthur Addis.

"We had some very rough times out there - life was tough," said Stan Cox (86), who was posted to Singapore in 1940.

"Out of the 360 who went out there with me, only seven came back.

"It is only right to mark the occasion.

"This is an important day for all of us and I'll be taking part for as long as I can."

The veterans have been parading on August 15 since the Salisbury and district branch of the Burma Star Association was established in 1966 and say they intend to continue the tradition as a mark of respect to the allies' 'Forgotten Army'.

"Obviously, our numbers are depleted and every year there are fewer of

us here," said veteran Stan Coombes (86).

"But for as long as we are able to, we shall continue the parade and the service in the cathedral to remember what happened on this important day."