Erskine Activity Centre North Marks 80th Anniversary of VJ Day in Forres

Over 40 members of the Erskine Activity Centre North gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a poignant service at the Forres War Memorial.

The commemoration included the laying of flowers, led by the Centre’s oldest member, John Knowles, aged 99, who proudly represented his fellow veterans. He was joined by Shaun Moat, the Centre’s very first member and current Chair of the Members Committee, symbolising both the history and future of the Centre.

VJ Day, marking the end of the Second World War in the Pacific, remains an important moment of reflection for veterans and their families. The event provided an opportunity for members to honour the sacrifices made and to ensure their stories and experiences are never forgotten.

Speaking after the service, Shaun Moat said:

“Today was about remembering those who gave so much and ensuring their legacy lives on. It was an honour to stand alongside our oldest member and see so many people come together to pay their respects.”

The Erskine Activity Centre North continues to provide a vital space for veterans across the region, offering friendship, support, and a strong sense of community.

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 For further information please contact Susan Hamilton, Communications Officer, on 0141 814 4719 or email susan.hamilton@erskine.org.uk

Notes to Editor

Erskine Veterans Charity is more than a charity — it’s a community, a family, and a lifeline for Scotland’s Veterans and their loved ones. Since 1916, we’ve provided expert care and unwavering support for ex-Service men and women, continually evolving to meet the changing needs of those who’ve served our country.

As Scotland’s leading provider of care for Veterans and their spouses, Erskine continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Veterans as the only charity in Scotland to offer such a wide-ranging suite of person-centred services for our beneficiaries.

Erskine delivers outstanding nursing, residential, and dementia care in our specialist homes on the East and West coasts. However our support extends beyond care homes: through our Veterans Village in Bishopton, we provide 44 family cottages, five Assisted Living Apartments, and 23 Transitional Supported Accommodation Apartments for Veterans of various ages and life stages.

We also help Veterans thrive within their own local communities. Our Activity Centres in Bishopton and Forres, offer a safe space for Veterans to come together with like-minded people to connect, engage in purposeful activities, learn new skills, and access support. In addition our regional Home Support service offers older Veterans the friendly assistance which they need to live well with independence and dignity in their own home.

At Erskine, we don’t just care for Veterans — we care about them.

The generosity of our supporters allows the charity to maintain our commitment to care for Scotland’s Veterans – without donations we simply cannot continue this work.

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity. To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate.

Erskine Veterans Charity | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity No. SC006609 | The Erskine Home, Erskine Veterans Village, Bishopton, PA7 5PU