Britain's What's On Event Guide
VJ Day 80th anniversary lunch and talk
Our VJ Day 80th anniversary event begins with a fish and chips lunch. This is followed by a talk by Dr Richard Marks on “Over the Kwai: The Story of the Burma-Siam Railway in World War 2”.
During World War 2, the Japanese Army built the Burma-Siam railway to supply their armed forces with men and material for the fight against the British and Allied military ranged against them. This was no ordinary railway. It was built through almost impassable terrain and requiring some ingenious feats of engineering. The railway should have been an outstanding example of railway building but it was not. The use of forced labour to construct the railway made it something to be judged not appreciated. This talk will look at why the Japanese needed to build the railway and why they treated prisoners of war in the way that they did. The talk will finish with a short discussion of why Japan was defeated and how VJ Day came about.
Pre-booking is required, ticket sales end three days before the talk. If you have any allergies or require a vegetarian or non-fish option – please advise us of this during the booking process.
This event is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390.
During World War 2, the Japanese Army built the Burma-Siam railway to supply their armed forces with men and material for the fight against the British and Allied military ranged against them. This was no ordinary railway. It was built through almost impassable terrain and requiring some ingenious feats of engineering. The railway should have been an outstanding example of railway building but it was not. The use of forced labour to construct the railway made it something to be judged not appreciated. This talk will look at why the Japanese needed to build the railway and why they treated prisoners of war in the way that they did. The talk will finish with a short discussion of why Japan was defeated and how VJ Day came about.
Pre-booking is required, ticket sales end three days before the talk. If you have any allergies or require a vegetarian or non-fish option – please advise us of this during the booking process.
This event is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390.
Thursday 14 Aug 2025
The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BQ
1 - 3.30pm£12
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