These extracts are from my father's letters from Burma, 70 years ago:
12 August
A couple of nights ago when Japanese acceptance of peace terms became more than a possibility there was shouting and guns flying into the night. We thought at first that we were behind with the news but apparently we were not and I hardly dare think of what will happen if and when it does end. There has been so much speculation, especially the question “shall I be home for Xmas?” Never would I say morale has been so low – and yet so high!
Next morning we heard a salvo of 24 guns firing not far away. There were one or two faint-hearted cheers but mostly there was silence as if the total and complete realisation of the fact had not dawned upon them. To most you see, it meant that they would still be out here despite peace, world peace.
Ted finally arrived back in Southampton on 28 October.