A special display to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is being staged in Hamilton’s Low Parks Museum
Staff at the attraction, which reopened this week following the easing of lockdown, have been working behind the scenes while it was closed to prepare a commemorative display to mark the final surrender of Japan and the start of a new era of peace – VJ Day on August 15, 1945.
The special display will also include elements of the planned VE Day exhibition which could not be staged due to lockdown.
The museum team’s research uncovered new artefacts and stories from the war in the Far East including a bush hat worn by a Cameronian attached to the legendary Chindit force who were air dropped behind enemy lines in the Burma Campaign.
Low Parks Museum is home to the Cameronians Regimental Collection.
Also on show is the Bradford Martin bugle, one of eight presented to the regiment after the war by the mother of Cameronians officer Captain Benjamin Bradford-Martin – historically he was listed as killed in action, but while preparing the exhibition Low Parks’ resident Cameronians expert Barrie Duncan uncovered new information.
Barrie said: “Until now we did not have any information on what exactly happened to Captain Bradford-Martin, but I found an entry in a soldier’s diary that revealed he was taken captive by the Japanese.
“But, determined to escape, and with the help of his batman (a soldier or airman assigned to a commissioned officer), he broke through the roof of the hut they were being held in and they climbed out.
“Sadly their valiant escape attempt was not successful and both men were shot as they made their bid for freedom.”
As with VE Day earlier this year the pandemic curtailed any plans for large scale events to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. However, there was a small commemoration attended by South Lanarkshire Provost Ian McAllan and invited guests at the South Lanarkshire Cenotaph on Saturday, August 15.
