On Friday May 8th, 2026, members of the Royal Naval Association gathered at 10:45am at the cenotaph on Nelson Square Cenotaph, just outside Bolton Town Hall, to pay their respects and mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The service brought together veterans, standards bearers, family members, and supporters of the association in quiet remembrance of those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. As the town paused to remember the momentous events of May 1945, wreaths were laid and heads bowed in reflection for the men and women whose courage secured peace across Europe after six long years of conflict.
The commemorations were conducted with dignity and respect, reflecting the continuing importance of VE Day to the armed forces community and to the people of Bolton. Members of the association stood proudly alongside their standards as the Last Post was observed, creating a moving tribute in the heart of the town.
Eighty one years on from the end of the war in Europe, the gathering served not only as an act of remembrance, but also as a reminder to future generations of the cost of freedom and the importance of preserving the memory of those who gave so much in service to their country.