VP Day at the Australian War Memorial
On 16 August 1945, a National Thanksgiving Service was held in front of the Australian War Memorial to mark Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day). A reported crowd of 5000 people gathered to witness the ceremony and commemorate the end of the Second World War.
The occasion is well-represented within the collection of the Australia War Memorial. Through photographs, recordings, artworks and ephemera, it is possible to get a glimpse into the events of this significant day – even 75 years later.
In setting the scene for a radio audience, the following description of the day was provided by an unidentified commentator,
“The hilly distance gives way to rolling grassy pine tree parted slopes, scattered through which may here or there, may be glimpsed the soft cream or bright whiteness of some dwelling. From these pine-capped slopes in the middle distance, flowering wattle splashes the green grass carpet with a clean, bright gold. The contrasting colours are enhanced by a brilliant sunlight which is coming from a pure blue sky. In this setting then, of gold and bright green, lies the Australian War Memorial, before which are gathered men and women of all works of peacetime and wartime life. Representatives of 18 different nations, all gathered together to offer irreverent thanks for our deliverance from the catastrophe of war”
VP (Victory in the Pacific) thanksgiving service held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT, on 16 August 1945.
Australian Broadcasting Commission, S00018
The “brilliant scene … extremely peaceful”, as described by the ABC broadcast, was also painted by Harold Abbott.
The setting was also captured from above, with a series of aerial photographs of the crowd gathering in preparation for the ceremony.
Aerial view of the Australian War Memorial during the National Thanksgiving Service
Photographer unknown
Aerial view of the Australian War Memorial during the National Thanksgiving Service
Photographer unknown,
Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley attended the ceremony. Acting on medical advice, the Governor-General, the Duke of Gloucester did not attend; however, he was represented by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, accompanied by young Prince William. Representatives from all Allied nations were also present for the ceremony as well as various Australian government ministers and politicians.
The official party on the dais at the National Thanksgiving Service; left to right: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester; Prime Minister Mr Chifley; Baroness Van Aerssen; Baron Van Aerssen (Netherlands Minister to Australia); Mrs Drakeford; Mr Drakeford (Minister for Air) and Mr Auge.
Photographer unknown,
Prince William, son of the Governor General of Australia, held by Rear Admiral Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle KCVO DSO, during the National Thanksgiving Service.
Photographer unknown,
An array of military and civilian services were represented, inlcuding detachments from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC), the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF), Australian Imperial Force (AIF), the Australian Military Force (AMF), the United States Navy, the Netherlands Royal Airforce, The Royal Navy, the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS), the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) and the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF).
National Thanksgiving Service at the Australian War Memorial
Photographer unknown,
The service itself consisted of only prayers and hymns; there were no political addresses or key notes speeches. Prayers were led by the Right Reverend E. H. Burgmann, Bishop of Goulburn, and other representative members of the clergy. Music was provided by the RAAF band from Bradfield Park, Sydney, accompanied by the Combined Services Choir and Schools Choir. The service concluded with one minute silence between the Last Post and Reveille by a lone bugler. The full service, as it was broadcast, may be heard in the following audio recording:
The officiating clergy at the National Thanksgiving Service
Photographer unknown,
Members of the public participating in the National Thanksgiving Service
Photographer unknown,
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a formation of aircraft conducted a fly-over across Canberra.
Aircraft flyover following the National Thanksgiving Service
Photographer unknown,
As reported in The Canberra Times the following day, the crowd was slow to disperse at the conclusion of the ceremony - “in a happy mood after the strain of years of war, the crowd showed little inclination to rush away … while children romped and grown-ups chatted in the sunshine”.