Anniversary Of Battle Of Britain

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1943, Page 2

Anniversary Of Battle Of Britain

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 26. Today, September 26, the anniversary of the Battle of Britain has been 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 Givernn:ent, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives oi all the armed forces of the United Nations, including veterans of the Battle of Britain, members of the A.A. Command, the Royal Observers Corps, civil defence services, national fire service, police force, navai and military bomb disposal ser- \ ices, workers for the Ministry for Aircraft Production and representatives of the gas, water, electricity and transport services, including a holder of the George Cross and other decorations won by gallantry during the air attacks.

Their Majesties were accompanied by Princess Marie Louise and Princess Helena Victoria and were received at the foot of the steps of the west door of the cathedral by the Lord Mayor of London (Sir Samuel N. Joseph). The King was wearing the uniform of an air marshal. During the service there was a prayer of thanksgiving “for the courage of all who guarded this land from the peril of invasion, for the. endurance and skill of the men of the R.A.F. and all men and women at their several posts of defence, and for the devotion to duty of those who laboured in factories and workshops or who administered to the injured.” Londoners Pay Tribute

“Londoners were given opportunity to express apreciation to the winners of the Battle of Britain when airmen and ground crews, A.A. gunners and men and women who made the aircraft passed in procession from Wellington barracks along Birdcage Walk. Whitehall and the Mall. Officers and men of Fighter Command, all of whom were engaged in the battle, came last in the procession. They were led by pilots with many kills to their credit.

R.A.F. in Malta also joined in commemoration today of the Battle of Britain with an open air service on what used to be the most bombed airfield in the world. The R.A.F. will today commemorate the third anniversary of the Battle of Britain in conjunction with civil defence services and aircraft workers throughout the country. It will be a national celebration in London, in provincial cities, in towns and boroughs, and even villages. Services of thanksgiving and parades will be held, and ail services and workers who shared in the historic defeat of the Luftwaffe will take part.