North Weald airfield marks Battle for Britain

Education: Secondary / Thu 17th Sep 2020 at 07:43am

THE 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain was marked at North Weald’s St. Andrew’s Church and at the airfield itself.

North Weald airfield played a vital role in the war effort with fighter planes, mainly Hurricanes, flying from there in the Battle of Britain in 1940.Wreaths were laid at the airfield’s gate guardian – a full sized replica of a Hawker Hurricane with the markings of RAF 56 Squadron, as flown by 249 pilot Tom Neil during the Battle of Britain in September 1940 – before a service at St Andrews Church.Squadron Leader Phillip Harrild from 56 Squadron RAF attended along with Epping Forest District Council Chairman, Helen Kane, North Weald Parish Councillor Alan Buckley and representatives from North Weald Airfield Museum, Aero Legends and the Royal Airforce Association.

Epping Forest District Council Chairman Helen Kane said:

Our airfield at North Weald played a vital role in both the first and second world wars so it is fitting that we should keep those memories and its history alive by remembering occasions such as the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Centenarian Doris Holden was one of the guests at the event. Doris, who still lives in North Weald was a WAAF on North Weald Airfield during the Second World War and has been a member of many local organisations over many years.

The airfield, now owned by Epping Forest District Council is a base for both NPAS (the police airborne service) and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance as well as a thriving commercial centre for local business.