THE GRANDSON of a far east veteran was invited to a VJ Day memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Mubarik Chowdry was invited by the Royal British Legion to speak about his late grandfather Petty Naval Officer Mohammed Saeed at the event on Saturday (August 15).
Mr Saeed joined the navy when he was 16 and after a few months of intense training was sent to the front line during the second world war where he served The Royal British Indian Navy from 1943 to 1947.
He served on HMIS Cheetah and briefly on HMIS Punjab and was in the Pacific Ocean near Singapore on VJ Day – August 15 1945.
He was awarded numerous medals including the Battle of Britain star medal and the Burma Star military campaign medal.
Mr Saeed passed away at Warwick Hospital when he was 83-years-old.
His grandson Mubarik Chowdry met the likes of the prime minister and HRH Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the VJ Day anniversary event.
He told the Observer: “It was a pleasure to meet many of the living veterans and delegates of the British Armed Forces and delegates from across the commonwealth nations.
“I am so grateful to The Royal British Legion for organising the event and inviting me to share my grandfather’s memories and remembering all those who severed during the second world war.
“It was truly a wonderful and emotional day of remembrance of my grandfather and all those brave heroes who severed during the second war risking their lives for freedom and peace. They will never be forgotten.””
