2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
(Victory over Japan Day) on Friday 15 August.
This is an opportunity for the region to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth, through our Annual VJ Day Walk.
Click play to watch the short video from 2024.
Geordie philanthropist, Brian Burnie, has organised an epic 21-mile walk from Newcastle to Sunderland to mark VJ Day and honour all Far East PoW’s and the memory of his “great friend” Len Gibson – Join us, Sunday 15th August 2025.
For ALL Far East Prisoners of War and our dear friend Len Gibson (BEM)
As Europe celebrated the surrender of German forces on VE Day, thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. The VJ Day Memorial Walk remembers the ‘Forgotten Army’.
The memorial walk will start in Newcastle Civic Centre at 6.00am, Friday 15th August 2025 and travel through Gateshead, South Tyneside, ending at Sunderland honouring Far East PoW’s. At 11am, there will be a special service (TBC) and the unveiling of a very special statue at 3pm.
Len Gibson supported the cancer charity, Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, who named one of their Ambulances in his honour ‘Len Guitar Gibson’. The anniversary of Japan’s surrender marks the end of World War II. Working on the infamous Burma Railway, only a fraction of the Far East PoW’s survived starvation, torture and Malaria.
80th Anniversary – VJ Day Memorial Walk Friday 15th August 2025
Join the Annual Memorial Walk
Everyone is invited to walk from Newcastle to Sunderland in remembrance of the ‘Forgotten Army’. Many fought and died fighting the Japanese Army in Burma. Those who survived later taken prisoner and forced to work on the River Kwai Bridge and Railway.
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care founder, Brian is once again organising an epic walk in memory of all Far East Prisoners of War.
Remembering all Far East Prisoners of WWII
Remebering all of our VJ Day Heroes.
To commemorate ALL FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WORLD WAR II, Brian Burnie has commissioned local artist, Ray Lonsdale to create a statue in remembrance. For those who endured years on the notorious Burma Railway and Bridge over the River Kwai, suffered near starvation, disease and brutality as a Japanese prisoner of war. Many never returned.
Designed and built by Ray Lonsdale, the creator of Seaham’s ‘Tommy’ statue, it will be erected on the route of the VJ Day Walk, in Sunderland.
Guests on the day will include the creator himself, Ray Lonsdale, local councillors and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Ms Lucy Winskell, OBE in addition to members of the public and special guest too – Don’t miss out on this amazing event for the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day 2025.
Watch the short video below.
Click play to watch the short video.
Geordie philanthropist, Brian Burnie, has organised a statue to honour ALL Far East Prisoners of War. Watch Part One.
Click play to watch the short video – Part Two.
Brian Burnie and artist Ray Lonsdale
Ray's suggested design for the statue.
Can you support the VJ Day Memorial Walk?
Route of the VJ Walk – Friday 15th August 2025
“We hope communities can come together on Friday 15th and walk just a few paces, a mile or two or perhaps a little further to support and remember the ‘forgotten army’. If we can ask veterans, members of the community and schools to walk just a mile or two, that would be incredibly moving.” Brian Burnie.
A Wearside Lad in World War II – By Len Gibson (B.E.M)
The extraordinary story of Len Gibson’s life as a prisoner of war in the Far East – Now only £8.99.
‘Len Gibson: A Wearside Lad in World War II’ looks back on Len’s remarkable life as a Japanese prisoner of war, where he endured three and a half years of forced labour, near-starvation, disease and brutality.
Len has influenced and supported many people including music-royalty Dave Stewart co-founder of the ‘Euthymics’ and professional footballer Keith Adams who played for Sunderland and Australian Nationals. Currently living in Melbourne, Keith was an ex-pupil of Len’s at his former school where he was Deputy Head, Hasting Hill Primary School.
Cheques are accepted via post to Daft as a Brush House, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 2DR. Or, call in to see us! Our Reception is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday for card and cash payments.
Return to the Daft as a Brush website by: Clicking Here.
