News
TRH attend the Battle of Britain Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication at Westminster Abbey
20th September 2008
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall honoured Battle of Britain veterans today for their extraordinary efforts defending the country against the threat of invasion during the Second World War.
The Royal Air Force pilots famously described by Winston Churchill as the "few" were praised at a Thanksgiving Service held at Westminster Abbey to mark the 68th anniversary of the aerial conflict.
Other guests attending with Their Royal Highnesses included Defence Secretary Des Browne and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy.
The Prince of Wales is Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force and is Patron of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association.
The Venerable Ray Pentland, Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force, told those gathered that the battle had been a victory of "good over evil", "courage over fear", adding "It was a victory that promised freedom rather than tyranny".
The Archdeacon said in his sermon: "That this battle was won, is in itself worthy of celebration, and today we proudly salute the few and of course the many who supported them.
"It is often in adversity when we are against seemingly enormous odds that our humanity shines though.
"Today we celebrate the fact that these few, who would claim they were ordinary, did extraordinary things."
The Battle of Britain was a dramatic turning point in the Second World War that had been raging for less than a year.
The Luftwaffe began an onslaught against Britain in July 1940 hoping to destroy the county's aerial defences and pave the way for an invasion.
The following month the wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, praised the pilots engaged in defending Britain's skies, telling the Commons: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. "
The climax of the air battle came on 15th September 1940 when enemy planes flew more than 1,000 sorties over England.
However, by the end of the conflict in October 1940 the RAF's Spitfire and Hurricane pilots had managed to inflict the first significant defeat to the Nazi war machine.
During the battle, more than 1,000 fighter aircraft were lost with 544 aircrew killed, but the British Forces had managed to down 1,900 of the Luftwaffe's planes.
The service at Westminster Abbey was held on Battle of Britain Sunday in the year the RAF celebrates its 90th anniversary.
During the ceremony, an Act of Remembrance was held when the Battle of Britain roll of honour was carried from the Chapel of St George and escorted to the altar by veterans from the famous aerial conflict.
Moving prayers were said for airmen who died defending their country and to mark "the courage of those who in war served the cause of liberty".
The ancient Abbey echoed to the sound of the Last Post as the service drew to a close.
Later The Prince and The Duchess attended a reception at nearby Church House.
Before the event The Prince and The Duchess watched a flypast of four Tornado F3s who roared over the Abbey.
Their Royal Highnesses later chatted to veterans and their partners at the informal gathering which included senior members of the RAF.
Wing Commander Tom Neil was a Pilot Officer during the Battle of Britain flying Hurricanes and recounted his war days to The Prince.
Mr Neil, 88, from Thwaite St Mary, near Norwich, was joined by his wife Eileen, 90, who he met at Biggin Hill when she worked in fighter control.
The former RAF pilot who flew 141 sorties during the Battle said: "The older you get the more emotional you get. I never shed a tear during the Battle of Britain but it is more moving now especially during the Last Post.
"I always say we were greatly privileged to fight in the Battle of Britain, like those archers at Agincourt.
"The right place, at the right time at the right age - 19. At the time we didn't think much of it - we thought we were just lucky to be there."