LEN Parry, believed to be the last remaining holder of the Burma Star medal in Yorkshire will be one of those commemorating VJ Day in Skipton on Monday (August 15).

A short service of remembrance will take place at 10.45am at Holy Trinity Church. It will be led by retired Army Colonel Rev Roger Lowans and will include the Last Post, two minutes silence, Reveille and the laying of wreaths.

Mr Parry, who will be 102 next month, served in the Royal Air Force during the Burma Campaign. He was captured by the Japanese and was held in captivity briefly before he escaped.

George Martin, chairman of the Skipton Branch of the Royal British Legion said: “Many of the UK service men and women who fought during World War Two in the Far East, consider themselves forgotten compared to those who fought in Europe

“The war in the Far East, also known as ‘the Burma Campaign’, was the longest campaign fought by the British and Commonwealth armies in World War Two.

“In 1945 it provided the largest army group the South East Asia Command (SEAC) – nearly 1.3 million men and women – ever assembled by the British Commonwealth and its Allies.

“Despite this, it has never been seen to hold the same importance as the war in Europe though, with many of the men and women who fought in the Far East considering themselves forgotten.

“79 years on, we still gather to remember those who took part in the Burma Campaign.”