Royal Observer Corps Association
  • Home
  • National Events
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2023
    • Remembrance 2022
    • National Reunion 2022
    • HM Queen Elizabeth II
    • Battle of Britain 2022
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2022
    • Seaborne Memorial 2022
    • RIAT 2022
    • Capel le Ferne 2022
    • Jubilee Beacons/Events 2022
    • REMEMBRANCE 2020
    • NATIONAL REUNION 2018
    • Alrewas 2018
    • Capel le Ferne 2017
    • Alrewas 2016
    • Capel le Ferne 2016
    • St Clement Danes April 2016
    • The Banner at St CLement Danes
    • Alrewas 2014
    • National Memorial Dedicated
    • Alrewas memorial stone
  • Local Events
  • National Heritage
    • Observer Way, Reading
    • The Greatest Sacrifice
    • ROC in pursuit!
    • Heritage Awards 2022
    • Special Constables
    • Bury War Room May 2022
    • Falklands remembered
    • Cosford 2022
    • Heritage Snippets
    • NAFD 2018 Llandudno
    • NAFD 2016 Cleethorpes
    • Armed forces Day 2014 Stirling
    • Bury St. Edmunds Ops room restoration
    • Bentley Priory Museum
    • Armed Forces Week 2013
    • Bentley Priory Tours 2012
  • National News
  • Current Group News
  • Organisation - National
    • Organisation - Groups
  • Links
  • Archive
    • Group News 2010-2021
    • 2014 A year to Remember
    • St Clement Danes April 2017
    • 31 Group Belfast Dedication of Group Standard
    • FAIRFORD 2015
    • Remembrance 2017
    • Banner at Cranwell
    • 2014 National Reunion
    • Stoke Golding 2016
    • Channel islands Liberation Parade 2014
    • Bentley Priory reborn Sept 2013
    • No. 1 Group Maidstone 2014 Parades
    • D-Day 70 Years on
    • ROCA President
    • Battle of Britain Services 2016
    • The Battle of Britain
    • National Arboretum Group trees
PictureThe Great West Door of Westminster Abbey
                    Service of Thanksgiving September 15th 2013
    2013 marked the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the first decisive battle in history fought entirely in the air. It was a dramatic turning point in World War Two.
      The following historical account is extracted from the Order of Service.
    The Luftwaffe began their onslaught in July 1940, directed at the Channel ports and British shipping. The second phase, in August that same year, consisted of intensive daylight operations against coastal radar stations and Fighter Command airfields. After a five day lull due to bad weather, the third phase began with attacks on fighter airfields in the London area, and increased night attacks on British cities.
    The fourth phase started on the 7th September with a daylight raid on London, and lasted for most of that month. The climax came on September 15th when the Luftwaffe flew more than 1,000 sorties over England, losing 56 aircraft. The fifth and final phase came in October when the enemy attacked Britain’s major ports and industrial centres.  At the beginning of the battle the Luftwaffe had 2,700 aircraft to launch against England. Britain had fewer than sixty fighter squadrons – around  700 aircraft – with which to repel them. Ground crews often worked sixteen hours a day to keep the planes in the air. 
Between 24th August and 6th September Fighter Command lost 103 pilots and 128 were seriously wounded. 366 fighters had been destroyed or badly damaged. Fighter Command lost over 1,000 fighters during the battle, and the Luftwaffe nearly 1,900. Fewer than 3,000 aircrew personnel, supported by all the men and women on the ground had, against all odds, won the most decisive battle of recent times. 544 RAF aircrew were killed during the battle, and a further 791 died before the end of the War. 
    
        The immortal words spoken by Winston Churchill after the battle was won are still as stirring today as they were at the time
…

    
”The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”

    This year it was the turn of Midland Area to take up the seats on offer from the RAF organisers. Mike Quincy of 7 Group, carrying the ROCA National Standard, formed up at the Great West Door, with the other Standard Bearers, as the VIP’s were escorted to their seats within. Other National Standards in attendance were; The National Service (RAF) Association, The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, The Bomber Command Association, The Royal Air Forces Association.
In addition there were 20 Branch Standards from the RAFA. Also formed up with the Standards were members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron Royal Air Force.

    Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns GCB KCVO CBE represented His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Other Senior Guests included Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford KCB CBE RAF Chief of the Air Staff, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster.
    The Standard of Number 41 Squadron – carried by Squadron Leader J Taylor-Head RAF - was borne through the Church and laid upon the High Altar. 
    During the Act of Remembrance the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour was borne through the Abbey to the Sacrarium, led by the Honorary Steward Group Captain J G Eaton MBE, and carried by Flight Lieutenant N Critchell RAF. The Roll was escorted by veterans of the Battle, together with sons and grandsons of the veterans, and serving Royal Air Force pilots.
    After a very moving Service we all met up outside to watch the Standards march off, and see a fly past by a Spitfire and Hurricane of the BBMF from RAF Coningsby.    
 
Photos by National Secretary Jenny Morris   For full sized images click on an image and use the left & right arrows to scroll.

The official website of the Royal Observer Corps Association

Return to Home Page
Data Protection
Links to external sites
Email Website Editor