A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving was held on Battle of Britain Sunday
If you would like to download and see the Order of Service Click here - bob_sep_2022_final_1.pdf
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Battle of Britain Day 15 September 2022
A service on Battle of Britain Day was held near the Gate Guardians. Reverend Alison Newman led 50 people in prayers remembering those who had died in the Battle of Britain. Seven ladies each read out 15 names and laid wreaths of For-Get -Me -Not flowers on which were the names of the 105 airmen who died flying from the Biggin Hill Sector in the Battle.
By Chance, a Spitfire flew overhead at the appropriate time and the the Chapel bell tolled 105 times.
By Chance, a Spitfire flew overhead at the appropriate time and the the Chapel bell tolled 105 times.
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Churchill's words recited by Air Cdre John Bell
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Battle of Britain Sunday 19th September 2021
The service led by Reverend Peter Hills was held on a lovely warm sunny day. Peter, a man of military experience gave a different insight, in his sermon, in to the days of 1940 and the airmen who fought to keep our country free.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley Councillor Russell Mellor read a lesson and several Councillors attended together with Mr Bruce Walker , Chairman of the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust.
CWO Tomas Kaspar, Assistant to the Defence Attache of the Czech Republic Embassy, accompanied by his wife and daughter represented the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Corporal James Kennell of 2427 Squadron (Biggin Hill) Air Training Corps read a lesson. Veterans Anne Galley, Len Shepard, Alec Borrie participated in the service and Veteran Harry Winters was also present.
A quartet , Claire Jones, Siân Henderson, Ben James and Will Kendal sang two anthems and led the hymn singing congregation with David Thorne on the organ. Trumpeter Vicky Mace gave a perfect rendering of the Last Post and Reveille.
Standards of Royal Air Forces Association Central London, the Royal Navy Association and Canada were paraded as well as Banners from 2427 Biggin Hill, 1921 Lewisham and 173 Orpington Air Training Corps Squadrons.
The Chapel was as full as possible complying with the Church of England service restrictions and fire regulations.
Entry of the Mayor Russell Mellor
Reverend Peter Hills
Veteran Anne Galley
The Royal Salute
Harry Winters and Rita Radford
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Standards and Banners being presented to the altar
Corporal James Kennell
Veteran Len Shepard
Ready for the Royal Salute
Harry Winters Cllr Kim Botting, Mayor and Mayoress Mellor
Mrs Kaspar, Harry Winters, Tomas Kaspar, Bruce Walker
Miss Katie Edwards and Harry Winters
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2427 Sqn ATC 173 Sqn ATC 1921 Sqn ATC
2427 Sqn ATC, RAFA Central London Branch, 173 Sqn ATC, Canada, 1921 Sqn ATC, Royal Navy Association.
If you would like to read the service , it is available just below here.
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80th Anniversary of the Battle for Britain 2020
A Commemoration and Thanksgiving service for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain was held on Sunday 13th September 2020.
During the service 101 names of aircrew, who died flying from the Biggin Hill Sector, during the Battle for Britain were read out by veterans. The names of the aircrew are remembered on the reredos.
The service was lead by Reverend Alison Newman and the Bishop of Tonbridge, The Right Reverend Simon Burton-Jones gave the sermon. Miss Claire Jones sang 'Pie Jesu' and 'A Gaellic Blessing'. The trumpeter was Miss Victoria Mace and Mr David Thorne, the organist.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, Hannah Gray and her Consort Councillor Colin Hitchens were present.
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Taken from Biggin Hill Councillors on Facebook;
"The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 1940 - Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service in the presence of the Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Hannah Gray was held today at the RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
The Service was led by The Bishop of Tonbridge the Right Rev Simon Burton-Jones, and the Chaplain the Rev Alison Newman. It was an Inspirational Service. The names of all of the 101 Pilots from Biggin Hill Sector,who died during the Battle of Britain were read out by veterans who served at Biggin Hill in this period, L.A.C.Len Shepard, WAAF Plotter Ann Galley, Halifax Wireless Operator Harry Winter and Wendy Wallington, daughter of the late Air Commodore Peter Brothers, whose Hurricane is commemorated as one of the Gate Guardians. The Act of Remembrance was read by Peter Lemon a Wellington Wireless Operator and Air Gunner. It was an honour to see these genuine Veterans taking Part in this very special Service.
Our sincerest thanks to all of those who were involved in the preparation and management of the Service, too many to name. I must mention Victoria Mace, Head of Music at Charles Darwin, who was the Trumpeter.
Particular thanks to the present owners of the late Geoffrey Wellums’ Aston Martin. His replica Spitfire is the second Gate Guardian.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend to commemorate this very, very Special anniversary for Biggin Hill."
The Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, Hannah Gray and her Consort Councillor Colin Hitchens were present.
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Taken from Biggin Hill Councillors on Facebook;
"The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 1940 - Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service in the presence of the Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Hannah Gray was held today at the RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
The Service was led by The Bishop of Tonbridge the Right Rev Simon Burton-Jones, and the Chaplain the Rev Alison Newman. It was an Inspirational Service. The names of all of the 101 Pilots from Biggin Hill Sector,who died during the Battle of Britain were read out by veterans who served at Biggin Hill in this period, L.A.C.Len Shepard, WAAF Plotter Ann Galley, Halifax Wireless Operator Harry Winter and Wendy Wallington, daughter of the late Air Commodore Peter Brothers, whose Hurricane is commemorated as one of the Gate Guardians. The Act of Remembrance was read by Peter Lemon a Wellington Wireless Operator and Air Gunner. It was an honour to see these genuine Veterans taking Part in this very special Service.
Our sincerest thanks to all of those who were involved in the preparation and management of the Service, too many to name. I must mention Victoria Mace, Head of Music at Charles Darwin, who was the Trumpeter.
Particular thanks to the present owners of the late Geoffrey Wellums’ Aston Martin. His replica Spitfire is the second Gate Guardian.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend to commemorate this very, very Special anniversary for Biggin Hill."
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"The photos show the Service with Social distancing, Melanie and Julian in the car, with permission and Rev Alison Newman, Sqn Ldr John Wohlgemuth and one of his officers re-enacting the history and the Mayor speaking to the owners." Photos from the Councillors' post.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, Hannah Gray posted:
'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'. Words that were poignantly remembered as the names of those who served at Biggin Hill and lost their lives in the Battle of Britain were read out by veterans at the Battle of Britain 80th anniversary service of commemoration held at St George's RAF Chapel at Biggin Hill today. The beautifully crafted and immaculately organised socially distanced service was led by the Bishop of Tonbridge and the Reverend Alison Newman. A deeply moving service that was enhanced by the occasional inspirational roar of a Merlin engine as a Spitfire passed overhead.'
'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'. Words that were poignantly remembered as the names of those who served at Biggin Hill and lost their lives in the Battle of Britain were read out by veterans at the Battle of Britain 80th anniversary service of commemoration held at St George's RAF Chapel at Biggin Hill today. The beautifully crafted and immaculately organised socially distanced service was led by the Bishop of Tonbridge and the Reverend Alison Newman. A deeply moving service that was enhanced by the occasional inspirational roar of a Merlin engine as a Spitfire passed overhead.'
Bishop Simon Burton -Jones, Mayor Hannah Gray, Rev Alison Newman
Photo from the Mayor's post.
Photo from the Mayor's post.
Photos from the Mayor's post.
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Mrs Barbara Hodges arranged flowers with an embroidered flag for each allied country, reflecting the flags either side of the altar.
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Anglican services are on Sundays at 0930hrs.
Please do come along because everyone is welcome.You are very welcome to attend.
Because of Government rules, please leave a message (name, number attending and tel.no.) for
Margaret Wilmot on 01959 575197 or email margaret.wilmot207mw@gmail.com or
Leslee Robbens on 07956211659
Because of distancing rules, you will be allocated a seat on arrival.
Do come and keep the Chapel alive. The Chapel needs you!
Friends - If you live within a 5 mile approximate radius of Biggin Hill and would like to attend but do not have easy transport, please contact Margaret Wilmot on 01959 575197, leaving a message and your phone number
or email The Friends at - stgeorgesrafchapel@gmail.com
or email The Friends at - stgeorgesrafchapel@gmail.com
