Battle of Britain’s 80th is marked with break in tradition
THE annual Battle of Britain church parade yesterday commemorated the 80th anniversary of the airborne conflict.
The regular North Beach formation of the parade followed by a march along the seafront to the Town Church was changed to accommodate Seafront Sunday, going instead from La Plaiderie along Le Pollet and the High Street to the inspection in Church Square.
‘The seafront is better for the inspection as there’s more space but I think it’s more Guernsey going down the cobbled High Street,’ said parade commander Flt-Lt retired Syd Bowsher.
‘I agree with Churchill that the Battle of Britain was the RAF’s finest hour and a lot of men and women died and we must remember them.’
The sound of the Boys’ Brigade Band resonated off the walls of the buildings of the High Street as it led the way to Church Square where the Lt-Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, and the Bailiff, Richard McMahon, inspected the parade ahead of the church service. Units on parade included uniformed organisations and veterans.
Many of those who turned out to watch the event had relatives who were taking part including Jemma Livesey, 47, who originates from Alderney.
‘My daughter, Daisy Livesey, 16, is in the air cadets,’ she said. ‘My grandfather was a Lancaster bomber pilot in the Second World War so it’s nice to see Daisy following in her great-grandfather’s footsteps.’
IT manager Matt Le Huray’s son was parading with the Elizabeth College CCF.
‘I think it’s very important that we remember the servicemen and women of both the past and the present,’ he said. ‘I think it might have been easier to see the inspection on The Quay but we just can’t go there today.’
The Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, conducted the service.
After it, Flt-Lt Bowsher and Alun Brunger, president of Guernsey branch of the Royal Air Forces’ Association, laid wreaths at the Smith Street War Memorial.
