THURROCK Council leader Cllr John Kent joined members of Grays Thurrock branch of the Royal British Legion to mark VJ Day today (Thursday, 15 August).

A short ceremony at Grays war memorial, during which local RBL chairman Rod Oakley recalled the pivotal battles of Imphal and Kohima.

A service will take place on Saturday (17 August), starting around 10.45am, at the Burma Star Rose Garden off Wingfield Drive, Orsett.

The garden remembers the fallen in the far east campaigns and willbe attended by the mayor, Cllr Kairen Raper, other dignitaries and councillors and members of the Far East Veterans Association.