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Japan surrenders in China

John Stanfield, now 103, recalls how he signed the Japanese surrender documents on behalf of the British in a ceremony at the Forbidden City in Beijing in the autumn of 1945.

In the autumn of 1945, World War II surrender ceremonies took place across the Japanese Empire. The one in China was held at the Forbidden City in Beijing bringing an end to eight years of occupation. Thousands of people watched the incredible moment Japanese generals handed over their swords. The United States, China, Russia and the United Kingdom were all represented. John Stanfield, now 103, is the last surviving British person who was there. He recalls to Josephine McDermott how he signed the surrender declaration documents on behalf of the British.

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