Crawley resident and Burma veteran marks VJ Day anniversary

Poundhill resident George Durrant, 96, marked the anniversary – which commemorates victory in Japan during World War Two – with an afternoon party with his wife and daughter, Ann Russell.

Ann, who lives in Northgate, said: “We had a lovely afternoon party celebrating the end of the Second World War in the Far East 75 years ago.

“We played wartime songs, my dad loved singing along to the tunes.

“My dad served out in Burma and was part of what’s known as the forgotten army. He wore his medals including the Burma star.”

George has lived in Crawley for nearly 65 years after marrying Ann’s mum in 1954, she added.

Ann said: “He is now 96-years-old but still remembers all the words to songs he and the boys used to sing in Burma.

“He remembers Vera Lynn visiting them in Burma just after the war ended.”