80th Anniversary of the Battle for Britain
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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