The end of an era was marked yesterday in Belfast and across the UK as veterans, politicians and royalty gathered at ceremonies to remember those who fought for their country during the Second World War.

In Belfast, 14 veterans of the Burma Star Association took part in their final parade, remembering fallen colleagues who fought in the jungles of Burma.

This was the last time such a commemoration will be held with the national service of commemoration at the Cenotaph in London also remembering the efforts of those soldiers who fought in the harshest of conditions.

It also paid tribute to nearly 30,000 British losses suffered during the Far East campaign, some 12,500 of which died while prisoners of war.

In London, Prime Minister David Cameron, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joined representatives of the three military Services and veterans of the conflict to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day).

The Fourteenth Army - dubbed the Forgotten Army - was the largest British Empire and Commonwealth Army ever assembled, numbering over half a million.

The Japanese surrendered on 14 August 1945 after the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The next day was celebrated as VJ Day.

(BMcC/KMcA)