Battle of Britain commemorated at North Weald
History / Tue 19th Sep 2023 at 07:48am
| A WREATH laying service was held on Sunday (September 17) at the Cross of Sacrifice in the grounds of St Andrew’s Churchyard, North Weald, to commemorate the Battle of Britain. The service was organised by North Weald Bassett Parish Council with wreaths laid by Squadron Leader S G Tavener – representing RAF 56 Squadron; Epping Forest District Council chairman councillor Darshan Sunger; councillor Chris Whitbread – representing Essex County Council; North Weald Bassett Parish Council chairman councillor Alan Buckley; parish council vice-chairman councillor Shirley Hawkins (on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Airforce); Royal British Legion (North Weald branch) chairman Jon Schlanker; Arthur Moreton – representing RAFA; ATC 414 Squadron; Peter Gardner – representing North Weald Airfield Museum while a special wreath was laid in memory of Mrs Doris Holden by her daughter, Mrs Valerie Arthur. Parish council chairman councillor Alan Buckley said: “Battle of Britain Sunday commemorates the victory won by the Royal Air Force which saved Britain from invasion in 1940. “The German objective was to eliminate the RAF both in the air and on the ground. “The first daylight assault on London was made on September 7. “The battle reached a climax on September 15 where the Luftwaffe flew more than 1,000 sorties over England during daylight hours. “It was, in Sir Winston Churchill’s words, one of the decisive battles of the war. “The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire and indeed throughout the World, goes out to the British Airmen who, undented by odds, unwearied by their constant challenge and mortal danger, turned the tide of World War by their prowess and by their devotion. “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed, by so many, to so few.” |
No Comments for Battle of Britain commemorated at North Weald: