A WEEKEND of events is due to take place in Dorchester to commemorate two of last year's milestone anniversaries remembering major British Armed Forces victories during World War Two.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented any sort of larger in-person events or gatherings to commemorate last year's 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in August.

Organisers of the events have announced that the relaxation of restrictions means they will now able to hold an a weekend of events which commemorates the special landmark anniversaries in what they feel is a more fitting way than was possible last year.

On Saturday August 14, a VJ Day anniversary service will be held in the open air at 11am at The Kohima Stone outside County Hall in Colliton Park. It is a public event and organisers have said that anyone who wants to come is welcome to attend the service.

Attending the special service will be the daughter of Lieutenant Colonel 'Knocker' White DSO, who commanded the 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment in Burma and fought at Kohima, as well as Janet Fox, the daughter of the late Sergeant Gerry Waterhouse of the Dorset Regiment. Sgt Waterhouse was said to have played a crucial part in the Battle of Kohima in April/May 1944, commanding a tank that was winched up a precipitous hill and then clinching victory by firing at close range into Japanese bunkers.

On Sunday August 15 a 'Victory Day' service, which will be marking both VE Day and VJ Day, will be held in Borough Gardens at 11.30am. The service will be followed by a band concert by The Durnovaria Band and a display of vintage vehicles in Borough Gardens. There will also be a display of vintage buses in the Top o’Town car park.

Following this there will be a private lunch for 135 people at the Marabout Barracks on Poundbury Road for veterans of the Dorset Regiment and their families.

The Keep Military Museum which is close by, will be open on both days. In addition to the Museum’s extensive collection of historical displays, there will be a number of special activities including weapons on display and available for handling by the public.