MEMORIAL DAY 2010 - BRITAIN'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO THE FEW

 

The Patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, was guest of honour at the annual tribute to the airmen of the Battle of Britain at Capel-le-Ferne, on Sunday, 11 July.

This special commemoration, which marked the 70th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain on 10 July 1940, featured flypasts by a Lancaster and Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

HRH Prince Michael was joined by surviving veterans of the fighting and by the most senior figure in the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, as well as by thousands of spectators keen to show their respects during this special year.

The open air service and parade at the National Memorial on the cliff top between Folkestone and Dover was, as always, free to attend, and the crowds this year enjoyed a warm and sunny summer1s day.

The day included a display by the Kent Wing Air Training Corps and the parade, supported by music and hymns played by the RAF Central band, featured a 'general salute' for HRH Prince Michael of Kent and a spectacular fly-past by the BBMF Lancaster and the Spitfire, which returned later in the day for a solo display.

The commemorative service, conducted by Chaplain-in-Chief of the RAF the Venerable Ray Pentland, included the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying, and was followed later in the day, for the first time Capel-le-Ferne, by the Sunset ceremony.

Following the service, Flight Lieutenant William Walker AE, one of the veterans, unveiled and read an engraved copy of his poem "Our Wall" on a special plinth built alongside the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall.

As well as HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the 'guests of honour' included 19 of Churchill's "Few", members of the fewer-than 3,000 aircrew who flew during the Battle of Britain 70 years ago. They stood proudly to attention while being inspected and enjoyed lunch and tea as guests of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.

 

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