After more than two years in the South Pacific, Robertson was posted back to Townsville. On 14 August 1945, he was in Brisbane when Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, signalling the end of the war for Australians. “I knew I had to get back to Sydney straight away to see my family,” he recalls. “I knew it would be a big commemoration, and the train was full to the brim. “My wife was there, my wife's sister and her brother and others. In the morning we all dressed up to go into the city. Everybody went mad in the streets. Men were throwing young ones up in the air. Strangers were laughing in your face. Celebrations went for a week and it was a fantastic time. People were so excited; the war was really over. It was wonderful.” To mark 80 years since victory in the Pacific, read the full reflection: https://rslnsw.org.au/news/the-war-was-over-veterans-remember-victory-in-the-pacific-day-80-years-on/ (fb)

Listen to a special message from NSW Premier Chris Minns ahead of today's 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Commemoration Service at The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. Lest we forget.🌺 (fb)