Heroes of the Battle of Britain honoured

The units on parade were 201 Overseas (Guernsey) Squadron, Air Training Corps, the Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force, the Guernsey Detachment Army Cadet Force, the Guernsey Sea Cadets, the Guernsey Standards Party, the Royal British Legion, the Guernsey Veterans, and the Boys’ Brigade Band.

The Lt-Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, and the Bailiff, Richard McMahon, inspected the parade in Church Square, in front of a crowd of onlookers.

The Battle of Britain is remembered because it was regarded as having changed the course of the Second World War.

Germany was trying to force Britain to agree a negotiated peace settlement, but on 15 September 1940, RAF Fighter Command claimed what proved to be a decisive victory over the Nazis.

On that day, two massive waves of German attacks were fought off while 60 German and 26 RAF planes were shot down.

The national anthem was played in Church Square to honour the fallen.

Noah Purdue, an 18-year-old flight sergeant with the air cadets, said it was a special event to be part of.

‘I spoke to the Bailiff and the Lt-Governor, they asked me how long I’d been in the cadets, and I spoke to the Lt-Governor about his flying. I’ve done my first solo flight so they spoke about my badge.’

Ellie Dufty, sergeant with the air cadets, said it was important to reflect on the contribution of servicemen and women.

‘This is my second year being the escort for 201 Squadron and it’s a really nice experience to be at the front.

‘It was nice to give a cadet the opportunity to do that.

‘It’s a privilege to remember all the people who died in the Battle of Britain and the sacrifices their families made, so it was amazing to be able to honour to that. I’m also a Lt-Governor’s cadet, so I’ve met him before, so he said hi and said our squadron looked very smart.’

n The Air Cadets are holding an open evening on Thursday 23 September at 7.30pm. For more information, email 201OS@rafac.mod.gov.uk.