TO mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ Day, local primary school pupils visited cemeteries in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area to place large poppies of remembrance.
The British Legion Club in Crossgates and Cowdenbeath Rotary Club were behind the initiative that saw 100-plus war graves visited by the children.
There was an excellent response from the schools with 12 primaries involved, and the children were accompanied by Rotarians and Legion representatives at the events in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Benarty and Cardenden.
VJ Day in 1945 officially brought an end to the Second World War and the 80th anniversary commemorations took place nationally on August 15.
In May, for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, both the Rotary Club and the Legion worked with eight local primary schools to remember service personnel buried or commemorated in the grave yards at Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Ballingry, Auchterderran and Bowhill.
Last Wednesday, pupils from 12 primary schools laid poppies at the same cemeteries, at each of the 123 local war graves and private memorials maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves' Commission.
At Beath Cemetery, poppies were laid by pupils of Crossgates, Hill of Beath, St Bride's, Cowdenbeath, Foulford, St Joseph's and Kelty primary schools.
Pupils of Lochgelly West and St Joseph's did likewise at Lochgelly Cemetery.
St Kenneth's Primary School participated at Benarty Cemetery, while St Ninian's and Denend paid their respects at Bowhill Cemetery.
Cowdenbeath Rotary Club president, Craig Bennet, said: “All the pupils showed respect and resilience when at the cemeteries.
“All showed great interest in what was explained to them and planted a poppy at a war grave or memorial and many asked questions."
Jimmy Robertson, of the British Legion at Crossgates, added: "As in May, this was very worthwhile and truly humbling.
"All the pupils engaged. They were a credit to the schools they represented.
"I must pay particular thanks to local Commonwealth War Graves' Commission volunteer, Ian Mitchell, who was able, at short notice, to come along to Lochgelly, Ballingry and Bowhill cemeteries and give some of his knowledge to the pupils about the background of some of those at whose graves the pupils laid poppies in remembrance."
Mr Bennet added: "I hope that the success of the commemorations for VE Day 80 and VJ Day 80 can continue.
“I hope that our schools will agree to participate in an annual poppy planting project in Remembrance Week, starting this November.
"Certainly, we would be happy to work with the schools to achieve this.
"All the pupils and the staff who came with the children and planted a poppy with them will in the next month receive a laminated certificate of thanks from the Crossgates Legion and Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, to acknowledge the respect they all paid last Wednesday."
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