Veterans from Britain’s Second World War ‘forgotten army’ gathered on Sunday to remember and commemorate comrades who fell while fighting in Burma.

Eight veterans, in their 80s and 90s, joined family, friends and supporters at a service hosted by the Epsom branch of the Burma Star Association.

The annual service at St Martin of Tours Church in Church Road, Epsom, marked the 69th anniversary of victory in the battle of Kohima, which turned the tide in the war against the Japanese.

Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling joined the commemoration of fighting in the Far East which continued after the war ended in Europe.

The forces became known as the Forgotten Army because operations and their suffering remained overlooked for many years back home.

Branch press relations officer John Rogers said the number of branch members, who hold the Burma Star medal, had dwindled to about 50 over the years.

Mr Rogers said: "For them it’s very dear to their hearts because they were all caught up in this terrible conflict.

"They came back from war and lived their lives and when they got old all their memories came back. They want to remember and commemorate it."