Ahead of St.Helens' fixture this Sunday against Huddersfield Giants, the two clubs will come together in remembrance of VJ Day.
VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) is commemorated on the 15th of August each year to mark the complete end of the Second World War, and to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who served in the Far East and Pacific during the conflict.
In 2025, it will be the 80th anniversary of VJ Day from 1945.
This Sunday afternoon, St.Helens R.F.C. will acknowledge the 80th anniversary of VJ Day collectively as a community at the Saints’ home fixture against Huddersfield Giants. The visiting West Yorkshire club will also be part of this commemoration.
We will be honoured to welcome Leuitenant Colonel Robert Carman and Kingsmen from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, alongside Veterans of the Saints Foundation, in attendance at Sunday’s fixture.
Ahead of kick-off, the two teams will come out of the tunnel and stand together. St.Helens Chairman Eamonn McManus will then present a wreath in honour of all those who lost their lives in the Second World War. The Last Post will then be played, and we will ask all in the stadium to please acknowledge a moment of silence.
Both St.Helens and Huddersfield sadly saw players go to war, and not return. Players from both teams will be holding onto playing shirts with the names and heritage numbers of those men who sadly never came home. These shirts will be presented at half time to their families, who will be represented at the fixture on Sunday.
St.Helens R.F.C.’s Roll of Honour with their Heritage Number
- Driver James Leyden [#420]
- Flying Officer William Hough [#436]
- Lance Sergeant Patrick Dullard [#445]
- Lance Corporal Harold Briscoe [#463]
- Sapper Abel Tatum [#485]
- Sergeant Ronald Webb [#559]
- Fusilier Robert Thompson [#578]
Huddersfield Giants’ Roll of Honour with their Heritage Number
- Herbert Sherwood [#355]
- Les Adams [#394]
- Ken Gronow [#415]
- Dai Evans [#419]
