VJ Day Message from the Gurkha Brigade Association Chairman

On this day, 15th August in 1945, the Allies finally secured victory against Japan after over 4 years of hard and bitter combat in South East Asia and the Pacific. This year is the 80th anniversary of that historic moment and we should all pause to reflect on the sacrifices that were made in order for us to have a better future.

In particular, we remember our fellow Gurkha officers and soldiers who did not return and selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice. Many of those who did return bore the physical and psychological scars of war for the remainder of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their friends and families who still remember and have had to live with that loss or support those returnees in need.

On VJ Day 2025 we must honour each of those few remaining brave Gurkha veterans who are the rearguard of the greatest generation. Their courage, loyalty, and exemplary spirit is a guiding beacon for all of us and a demonstration of how to embrace life with dignity and honour. Through them we remember their comrades who have now departed on their last patrol, but whose memories and example live on in each of us. Let us also remember all Gurkha veterans everywhere today with pride – we are their legacy.

Jai Gurkhali, Jai GBA