A parade and church service has marked the VE/VJ Memorial Day in Penryn.

The annual event was organised in remembrance of fallen members of the British Armed Services.

VE Day (Victory of Europe Day) and VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) of 1945, together symbolise the end of World War II.

There were 14 Royal British Legion standard bearers at the service in Penryn, whose flags represented the Cornish branches in attendance.

Falmouth Packet:

Breage Silver Band led a parade from Penryn Town Hall to the Memorial Gardens for a service and a wreath laying ceremony.

This year also saw a special guest at the ceremony, a Victoria Cross recipient, William Speakman.

A former member of the Black Watch and the SAS, Mr Speakman won the highest award for bravery during the Korean War in 1951 while serving with the King's Own Scottish Borderers.

Invested by Queen Elizabeth, his VC was the first handed out by the then young monarch. He is one of very few recipients of the medal to be alive. The newest member of the Parachute Regiment’s RBL branch, he is living in supported housing in Redruth.

Falmouth Packet:

Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Edward Bolitho shakes hands with Victoria Cross recipient Bill Speakman, with RBL county president Steve Lewis

Brian Plint, a long serving stalwart member of the RBL was also presented with a life membership award in recognition of his stirling work for the organisation over the years.

Also attending the ceremony was Mayor of Falmouth, Geoffrey Evans, members of the public and local dignitaries.

Falmouth Packet:

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Mayor of Penryn, Beverly Hulme, lays a wreath

Falmouth Packet:

RBL stalwart Brian Plint receives his life membership of the legion from Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant