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In 2025 the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens reflected upon the significant events that brought about the end of the Second World War, and marked the anniversaries of both VE and VJ Day.
The Year Was 1945, a series of exhibitions, events, services, talks and tours opened a window in time to 1945, sharing the stories of those who lived and served 80 years ago.
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The news of Germany’s unconditional surrender on 7 May did not come as surprise to many who had been anticipating the news for some time. During the evening of the 7 May, the BBC told their listeners of Germany's unconditional surrender, and that an official statement declaring the end of the war would be made by Prime Minister Churchill the following day - Victory in Europe Day.
Whilst millions around the world took to the streets as they celebrated the Allied victory in Europe, in the Far East, hundreds of thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting. For a further three months, war continued to wage in the Asia-Pacific region and only came to an end after two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After six long years of war this surrender, announced by Prime Minister Clement Atlee, was met with relief and celebration.
The reuniting of communities, families and friends would be a long process, and it would take until 1947 for some service personnel to be demobilised following their service. It is estimated that 60 million people around the world lost their lives during the War, whilst the physical and psychological scars of battle affected many millions more who served, were persecuted or had been displaced. The impact of the Second World War shaped the world in which we live today.
Throughout 2025, we hosted a series of events, talks, tours and exhibitions to help tell the story of 1945.
Exploring the incredible stories of service, bravery and sacrifice across a number of our memorials in the Far Eastern section, ten new poems were created by our poet-in-residence Arji Manuelpillai.
Each poem could be experienced by collecting a podcatcher audio device handset from the Welcome Desk, and scanning the pod at each related memorial in the area.
In addition to our daily programme of tours and talks, between 29 March and 16 November we developed a special VJ Day guided walk, and self-led trail to share the stories that bring to life the experiences of those who lived and served during the Second World War, with connection to the memorials we have onsite.
On Friday 2 May, over 500 school children from across the midlands treated residents of Galanos House, a Royal British Legion care home, to VE Day inspired performances here at the National Remembrance Gardens.
The performances were the product of an 8-week engagement programme led by our learning and participation team and Bostin’ Creative. They included a creative adaptation of Churchill’s speech announcing the surrender of Nazi Germany, a piece telling the story of how the future Queen Elizabeth II was permitted to sneak out of the palace and celebrate the occasion, and a thoughtful composition remembering those that never returned from conflict.
On the anniversary of VE Day, to mark this landmark moment we hosted a free weekend of activities inspired by the street party spirit of 1945.
The packed programme of live performances, including vintage 1940s inspired dance workshops, set the scene for our celebrations which culminated at the end of each day with a mass visitor singalong.
This immersive exhibition whisked visitors back in time to 8 May 1945 where the residents of Cherry Tree Road were getting ready to celebrate together on VE Day.
The table had been set and bunting hung at their party which is reflective of a typical VE Day celebration held in the UK in 1945.
Image: IWM (HU 49482)
Giving a voice to wartime letters shared by BBC Radio listeners, this exhibition charted the journey from trepidation to jubilation in the final months of the Second World War.
Using basic materials Army Chaplain Fred Stallard produced paintings that captured his wartime experience.
The story of Fred and ten of his fellow prisoners of war were featured in this exhibition which reveals the reality of life as a prisoner of war in the Far East during the Second World War.
In this exhibition, produced by the Royal British Legion, powerful stories and photographs honoured the service, sacrifice, lives and legacy of those who served during the Second World War.
The Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Building tells the stories of those interned as prisoners of war during the Second World War, through the use of artefacts and immersive interpretation.
You can discover more about the conflict in the Far East during our free, daily, Far East Prisoners of War talk delivered by our volunteer guides.
Looking back at: 8 May 2025
On the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE hosted the Royal British Legion’s ‘RBL Remembering VE Day – 80 Years On’ Service at the National Remembrance Gardens.
Looking back at: 15 August 2025
The Royal British Legion, in partnership with the Government hosted 33 Second World War veterans as guests of honour at a Service of Remembrance at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial to mark the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day on Friday 15 August.
