There was heavy fighting, with airfields including Debden, Hornchurch and Biggin Hill targeted. Bombs fell across Kent, in many cases jettisoned by bombers that had failed to reach their targets.

Today was the day the “Goodwin Sands Dornier”, raised in 2013 under the auspices of the RAF Museum, went into the sea.

The RAF casualties included Pilot Officer William Walker of No 616 Squadron, who baled out wounded, was rescued from the Channel by the Navy and brought ashore at Ramsgate to be greeted by a cheering crowd. A collection of William’s poetry was published by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust not long before his death in 2012. Copies are still available including some signed by William.