BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29620, 16 September 1961, Page 13

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

700 To March In Parade

The twenty-first anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be commemorated in Christchurch tomorrow morning by a parade of almost 700 men and women and two bands for a remembrance service in the Cathedral. In the afternoon, the main national radio stations will broadcast a special British Broadcasting Corporation documentary about the Battle of Britain. On Monday, at 8.30 p.m„ stations 3YA and IYA will broadcast a talk by Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, who commanded the No. 11 Fighter Group at the time of the air battle. The parade will assemble in Victoria square and leave for the Cathedral at 10.25 a.m. Taking part will be about 500 former servicemen and about 120 servicemen and women from the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Wigram, as well as Air Scouts and members of the Boys’ Brigade. The bands will be those of No. 17 Air Training Corps Squadron, and the Wigram station band. The parade commander will be Squadron Leader J. E. Wood. Flight Lieutenant R. M. Cattermole will be the parade adjutant. Wreaths will be laid at the war memorial by Wing Commander M. J. Millener for the Air Force, the Mayor (Mr G. Manning), the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine), representing the Government, the officer commanding the Southern Military District (Brigadier A. H. Andrews), the commanding officer of the Canterbury Division of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (Commander R. M. J. O’Connor) and the commander of the United States Navy Antarctic support force (Rear-Admiral D. M. Tyree). Others who will take part in the wreath-laying ceremony include representatives of the Fleet Air Arm Association, the Air League, the Returned Services’ Association, the Ex-Prisoners of War Association, the Australian Imperial Forces’ Association, the Ex-Royal Navalmen’s Association, the Brevet Club, the Blue Beret Club, and the Homeservicemen’s Association.

Three Devons and four Harvards will fly past in salute. The Cathedral service will be conducted by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan). After the service the parade will march back to Victoria square, where it will be dismissed. There will be no march if the weather is unsuitable. The parade would then assemble in Cathedral square for the service.