A PLEA has been made for younger people to join Burma Star veterans at their last-ever official event on Sunday afternoon.

The Burma Star Association’s Commemorative Service marking both VE Day and VJ Day will take place at 3pm in the Jersey Farm Woodland Park in St Albans.

Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of St Albans, Cllrs Maxine Crawley and Beric Read, will be at the service and the Mayor is encouraging everyone to join the veterans.

It will be the last event for the St Albans branch as numbers have decreased because most of the members are in their eighties.

Reg Cox, chair of the Burma Star Association, said: “Most of the attendees are usually over the age of 40 and we sadly do not see any of the younger generation.

“We believe it is vital that subsequent generations should be aware of the price paid for their enjoyed freedoms and their democratic heritage. Perhaps attending this event could prove to be an enlightening and rewarding experience for youngsters and we hope they will come along and join us.”

The Mayor commented: “One of the most poignant moments of my year as Deputy Mayor of St Albans in 2008/9 was attending the Burma Star Commemorative Service and get together.

“The Standard Bearers stood proudly to attention throughout, despite being in their eighties, and the chaplain was himself a Burma Star veteran. There was a large audience of family, friends and others who came to respect these fine gentlemen and I was honoured to be amongst them.”

She added: “This year, sadly, is going to be the last year that this moving service will be held at Jersey Farm as there simply aren’t enough members left to continue. I’ll be there and I’d like this to be the biggest gathering yet so that our veterans, who fought for our freedom, know how grateful we are to them.”

The entry to Jersey Farm Woodland Park can be accessed from the end of Chiltern Road, off Sandringham Crescent.