Veterans parade in the Market Square.SALISBURY veterans paraded in front of the city's war memorial on Monday, to commemorate the 59th anniversary of VJ Day.

Ex-servicemen and representatives of the Salisbury and district branch of the Burma Star Association were joined by members of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Artillery, among others, as they assembled in the Market Square to remember those who lost their lives during the Burma campaign.

The Burma Star Association wreath.

Standard bearers from eight different organisations gathered together, as a short service with prayers was conducted by the padre of the Salisbury and district branch of the Burma Star Association, 92-year-old Arthur Addis.

Leading the veterans was chair of the Salisbury branch of the association Brian Bennett, with a special wreath laid by vice-chair Eddie Burton.

Members gathered in the cathedral shortly after the parade for a short service next to the Burma Star plaque, again led by Mr Addis.

Also present was Lyn Denton-White, president of the Salisbury and district branch of the Burma Star Association, who received the Burma Star in her own right, having served in China. More than 36,000 British soldiers lost their lives during the campaign, when thousands were captured by the Japanese.

Some spent up to three years working on the Thai-Burma railway, while others were taken to prisoner-of-war camps in Japan.

Lyn Denton-White, president of the Burma Star Association, who was herself awarded the Burma star for service in China.

Victory was finally declared over the Japanese on August 15, 1945, and every year the Salisbury branch of the association parades in front of the war memorial to pay tribute to those who died.

The Burma Star medal is awarded to those who served in Burma, China or Malaya between December 11, 1941, and September 2, 1945.