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Hundreds gather to honour relatives held as prisoners of war in the Far East

A Dakota aircraft flew overhead to honour the POWs Credit: ITV Central

Hundreds of people whose relatives were Prisoners of War in the Far East gathered to honour them today at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The war against Japan continued for three months after the end of the war in Europe.

While people at home celebrated, many soldiers were still fighting or were Prisoners of War.

Ronald Wright, 94, who was held captive for three-and-a-half years was here today with his grand-daughter.

The memorial, built by the charity Children of Far East Prisoners of War was rededicated today Credit: ITV Central

A charity, Children of Far East Prisoners of War, built a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

POWs were forced to build rail-lines Credit: ITV Central

Today it was re-dedicated, along with a new garden, bearing the names of rail-lines which POWs were forced to build - and where many died.

Many soldiers remained Prisoners of War in the Far East after the war in Europe ended Credit: ITV Central

Keith Banton from Burton Burton-on-Trent was here to remember his father, who was a POW on the Sumatran railway.

Keith Banton from Burton-on-Trent honoured his father Credit: ITV Central
Many POWs died building the railways Credit: ITV Central