A time to remember

Relatives of the Few gathered once again at the Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne to pay tribute to those who won the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's annual Memorial Day now focuses on giving relatives the opportunity to come together and share their memories of loved ones who fought side by side against the Luftwaffe to keep this country safe from invasion.

The weather was once again wet and windy, which meant the Service of Commemoration was held inside a large marquee, but it improved enough to allow wreaths to be laid at the National Memorial to the Few, the carving of a lone airman gazing contemplatively out over The Channel.

The wreath laying was led by the Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force, Murugesvaran 'Subby' Subramaniam and was followed by the now traditional reading of Flt Lt William Walker's poem Our Wall by his grandson Tom, accompanied by great grandson Felix.

In his welcoming address, President of the Trust Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton GCB highlighted the Trust's new initiative to honour 'the many' as well as the Few, with guests able to see the first of the commemorative tiles now in place along the outer edge of one of the white propeller blades.

Odette, Lady Dowding, daughter-in-law of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, later Lord Dowding, was among those attending the well-supported event, which concluded with an impressive but rain-drenched Sunset Ceremony featuring a sterling performance by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The General Salute at the start of the formal part of the day was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the Lady Colgrain, with the service conducted by the Trust's Hon Chaplain, Air Vice-Marshal The Ven Ray Pentland CB, and the Rev Brian Williams, Vicar of St Radigunds, Capel-le-Ferne.

The Sovereign's Colour of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force was escorted by No 600 (City of London) Squadron to mark the RAuxAF's centenary year. Also taking part were the King's Colour Squadron and the Kent Wing of the Air Training Corps.