Battle of Britain Service
This Sunday sees Shrewsbury’s civic leaders marking the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A parade by RAF Shawbury personnel will take place along St Chad’s Terrace at 10.45am followed by a short wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial in the Quarry. A bugler will sound Last Post followed by a two-minute silence at 11.00am to commemorate the hundreds of lives lost during the battle.
To mark this significant milestone, Shrewsbury Town Council has also repainted the famous Churchill quote on the grass near the War Memorial in the Quarry. Delivered by Winston Churchill in 1940, the words read: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” The gesture provides a poignant reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the skies 85 years ago.
The annual commemorative service marks the defence of the United Kingdom by Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew and the loss of more than 500 lives during the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940, which has been recognised as the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces.
September 15 saw the RAF gain a decisive victory over the Luftwaffe in what was Nazi Germany’s largest daylight attack. Some 1,120 Luftwaffe aircraft were sent to attack London but were repelled by just 630 RAF fighters, marking the end of Hitler’s plans to invade Britain.
The Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Bernie Bentick, will lead the civic party and said he hoped as many people as possible will turn out to pay tribute to those who served. He added:
“The Battle of Britain is remembered for the extraordinary courage of ‘The Few’, but it is important that we also remember the many thousands of people whose work, sacrifice and determination made that victory possible.
“More than 80 years later, we still owe an enormous debt to everyone who stood up to defend our country and our freedoms. This service gives the people of Shrewsbury an opportunity to come together, reflect on that remarkable generation and ensure that their stories and sacrifices continue to be remembered.
“I would encourage everyone to join us in The Quarry for what will be a moving and fitting tribute.”
Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, Station Commander at RAF Shawbury, said: “Royal Air Force Shawbury is honoured to commemorate the Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, alongside Shropshire Council invited dignitaries, on Sunday 11 September. Many of our 70 personnel from RAF Shawbury involved in Sunday’s parade are at the start of their careers, as they are currently undergoing training with No.1 Flying Training School or the Defence College of Air and Space Operations. Parading on Sunday will give our personnel a great source of pride, as we all remember the brave air and ground crews who fought so valiantly to protect or shores as the last remaining free country of Europe in 1940. Some 856 personnel lost their lives in the air or on the ground in the Battle of Britain and Sunday is about remembering their ultimate sacrifices to our country.”
Road closures will be in place along St Chad’s Terrace from approximately 10:00am until 11.30am to allow the event to take place.
