Victory in the Pacific Church Service
Thursday 14th August 2025
ALBANY RSL CHURCH SERVICE TO COMMEMORATE THE END OF WWII
Thursday 14 August 2025
5.30pm
St Johns Church, York Street Albany
On Thursday 14th August, the Albany RSL is to hold a commemorative service at the St Johns Church in York St to commemorate Victory in the Pacific known as VP Day, 14th Aust 1945. This officially ended WWII and followed VE Day (Victory in Europe) occurring in 1945 on May 8th.
2025 is the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. VE Day 2025 was a huge event in Europe but although commemorated in Australia, it was very similar to the actual date in 1945 when VE Day was recognised across the world, but Australia was still very heavily committed to the war efforts in SE Asia.
As history now tells us, in many ways VE Day was the beginning of the end for the war in the Pacific and Asia with the tide of battle now rapidly turning against the Imperial Japanese forces. The dropping of the two Atomic Bombs on Japanese soil forced the Japanese into surrender, ending WWII after six years noting that the war commenced just 21 years after the end of WWI, the “war to end all wars”.
After discussions with the City of Albany the RSL decided to hold a commemorative church service instead of a normal commemorative service to commemorate VP Day. This is because VP Day falls on a Thursday (school day) which would make it difficult for ADF Cadets to provide ceremonial support and the Vietnam Veterans Day service follows VP Day, only three days later Sunday 17th August.
The service commences at 5.30pm at St Johns and all are most welcome to attend to commemorate and remember the close to 40,000 Australians who died in service during WWII.
Attendees should note there is no intent to lay wreaths during the church service.
Queries regarding the church service or any other RSL commemorative services can be directed to the RSL Service Director Michael Tugwell on mobile 0421647301.