BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 2, 28 September 1943, Page 5

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Anniversary Celebration

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 26.

Today, the third anniversary of the Battle of Britain, is being observed as a day of prayer and celebration throughout Britain. The King and Queen were present at the morning service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Seated immediately behind their Majesties at the east end of the nave beneath the great dome were members of the War Cabinet and of the Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and representatives of all the Armed Forces of the United Nations. i Included were veterans of the BatLe of Britain, members of the Anti-Aircraft Command, the Royal Observers Corps, the Civil Defence Services, the National Pire Service, the Police Force, and the naval and military bomb disposal services, workers for the Ministry ot Aircraft Production, and representatives of the gas, water, electricity and transport services, including holders of the George Cross and other decorations won for gallantry during air attacks. . Their Majesties were accompanied by the Princess Marie Louise and the Princess Helena Victoria and were received at the foot of the steps to the west door of the Cathedral by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Samuel N. Joseph. The King was wearing the uniform ot an Air Marshal. Prayer of Thanksgiving. During the service there was a prayer of thanksgiving “for the courage ot all who guarded this land from the peril 01 invasion, for the endurance and skill ot the men of the R.A.F. and all the men and women who were at their several posts of defence, for the devotion to duty of those who laboured in the factories and workshops or who administered to injured and homeless.” • Londoners were given an opportunity to express their appreciation tor uie winners of the Battle of Britain when the airmen, ground crews, anti-aircratt gunners, and men and women who made the aircraft passed in procession from Wellington Barracks along Birdcage Walk to Whitehall and the Mall. - Officers and men of the Fighter. Command, all of whom were engaged in the Battle of Britain, came last in the procession. They were led by pilots with many kills to their credit. . The R.A.F. in Malta also joined in the commemoration of the. Battle of Britain with an open-air service on what used to be the most-bombed airfield in the world.