AS the guns fell silent on May 8, 1945 after the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, the fighting was not yet over in the Pacific.

Three battalions of the Border Regiment, headquartered in Carlisle, and the 51st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, nicknamed the Cumberland Gunners as most recruits hailed from the county, were among thousands still fighting the Japanese in the Far East.

The fighting continued until six days after the United States’ atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in southern Japan.

On August 15 the Japanese surrendered, effectively signalling an end to World War Two.

As we have recently enjoyed this year's celebration of VJ Day, we decided it was time to pour through our dense archives of photographs to see what they looked like nearly two decades ago.

August 15 is the anniversary of VJ Day, when hostilities in the Far East finally ceased, after the dropping of the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing an end to the Second World War.

This year marked the 76th anniversary of VJ Day , and saw people celebrating on the streets, with a plaque marking the anniversary of Victory over Japan Day unveiled by Whitehaven’s mayor, Councillor Chris Hayes.

It is a day to remember all service personnel who served in the Far East and South East Asia campaigns.

Whitehaven Town Council donated £1,000 to the Forgotten Soldiers Committee towards the purchase of the plaque.

Copeland Police also marked the anniversary, along with veterans and colleagues from other emergency services including Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Sellafield Civil Nuclear Constabulary. as well as Whitehaven Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

They attended the VJ Day memorial ceremony in the St Nicholas Church grounds on the afternoon of Monday, August 16.

Looking back on the celebrations of yonder, it makes us realise how it bring the community together.

We had perhaps lost a sense of this last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but here's to next year!