September treat in store

Malcolm
Jul 16
2 min read

Updated: Aug 5

A special event looks set to make this year’s Battle of Britain Day commemorations particularly memorable.

On Sunday 14 September, Missing in Action: Resting in Peace? promises to be a poignant and fascinating event exploring the emotive topic of the Battle of Britain’s ‘Missing Few’ - the brave airmen shot down and listed as ‘missing’ during the summer and autumn of 1940, leaving families without closure for decades.

The day begins at 11am with a screening of Forgotten, an eight-minute film written and directed by long-time Battle of Britain researcher Philip Harvey. The film, which has won an impressive 27 domestic and independent film awards, raises vital awareness of these missing heroes.

Following the film, Dilip Sarkar MBE, Honorary Vice-President of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, will share moving stories of some of the missing airmen, including No 601 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Willie Rhodes-Moorhouse DFC and No 605 Squadron’s Sergeant Peter MacIntosh. Dilip will reveal how families’ determination and aviation archaeology have helped uncover the truth behind these tragic tales.

The event concludes with a panel discussion, when Philip Harvey will join Dilip to answer questions from the audience.

From 1pm, Dilip will be signing copies of all eight volumes of the official history of the Battle of Britain produced for the Trust. This includes Volume 8: Battle of Britain Remembered, which features a chapter on the missing, a foreword by HRH The Princess Royal and a postscript by the Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Claire Horton CBE.

This special event is free to attend, but public support makes a real difference. The Trust suggests a donation of £5 per person to help the charity continue preserving the memory of ‘the Few’. Every visit to the shop or café in The Wing also helps support the Memorial’s vital work.

Booking is essential. Please call 01303 249292 or email enquiries@battleofbritainmemorial.org to reserve your place.