People from Gravesend and Dartford came together to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

At 11am on Saturday, the nation held a two-minute silence and many places across Kent remembered those who gave their lives.

Salvation Army man Brian Hillyer, from Gravesend, playing Last Post

On August 15, 1945, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced the country's surrender which brought an end to the hostilities of the Second World War and sparked celebrations around the world.

On Saturday, The Royal British Legion in Greenhithe held a socially-distanced event in front of the London Road memorial.

Members placed wreaths and were joined by Sarah Crook, whose great-grandfather and grandfather were imprisoned together by the Japanese.

Flags were raised at Gravesend Community Square on Saturday where Mayor Cllr John Caller was joined by people from the armed forces, veterans and cadets.

He gave a reading about the anniversary, saying: "We are supporting the work of the Royal British Legion in asking the nation to remember the impact that leaving, missing and returning home has on servicemen and their loved ones.

"While VE day marked the end of the war in Europe in 1945, many thousands of personnel were still involved in the fighting in the Far East.

"Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price. It marks the day Japan surrendered, which in effect ended the Second World War.

"This year we remember the contributions of all Commonwealth and Allied Forces without whom victory and freedom and a way of life we enjoy today would not be possible."

Salvation Army man Brian Hillyer stood by the flagpole at Gravesend Cricket Club on Saturday where he played the Last Post.

Dressed in his uniform, the 91-year-old played his bugle to mark VJ Day.

The Trafalgar Road resident has been playing the instrument every Thursday as part of the Clap for Carers gesture, and continued to do so when others stopped as it had become so popular.

He also serenaded a neighbour on her 108th birthday a few weeks ago and played the instrument for VE Day.

His daughter, Alison Thompson, said her father was more than happy to take part.

She said: "He's an active 91-year-old and would go to band practice twice a week, but because of coronavirus they had to stop, so I think he was happy to be out doing something.

"There was a lot of residents out watching who got to know him from his weekly performances and mini-concerts."

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