THE Battle of Britain’s 74th anniversary was commemorated across Oxfordshire yesterday with parades and church services.

It began a week of remembrance of the heroic defence of the nation during the Second World War, when RAF pilots beat back the German Luftwaffe’s assault.

Oxford Mail:

In Witney more than 100 people turned out to watch RAF reservists 4624 Squadron march through the centre of town to St Mary’s Church, above.

It was the first time since they were awarded the Freedom of the County last May that they had exercised their right to do so and they were supported by the Witney Town Band.

Rev Toby Wright, who led the remembrance service afterwards, said: “It is fantastic to see this church packed out on this extraordinary day and it is wonderful to have the RAF here with us.”

Oxford Mail:

Flt Lt Peter Dorward, of 4624 Squadron, above, said there were already plans to repeat the event next year, with a possible aircraft flypast.

He said: “We are very pleased with how everything went and Witney Town Band’s support made a big difference.

“We will need to start planning for next year immediately, when we are hoping to organise a flypast of Spitfires or Lancaster bombers.”

Town mayor Jeanette Baker added: “We are very honoured in Witney to have hosted the squadron’s first freedom parade, it was amazing and actually made me feel quite emotional.”

In Carterton a service took place in St John’s Church, in Burford Road, featuring six standards from squadrons based at RAF Brize Norton. Church rector Rev Bill Blakey said they had also boasted a full church.

Oxford Mail:

Carolyn Belcher from the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, History Re-visited group with Ferry the horse

 

Elsewhere, in Banbury, the day saw a military parade led by the town’s 1460 Squadron Air Training Corps Band, from the Town Hall, in Bridge Street, to St Mary’s Church in Horsefair.

Town mayor Sean Woodcock said: “We had a lovely service and it was a great privilege for me to meet the Second World War veterans we had attend.”

After a service in the church, the parade returned to Broad Street for dismissal.

On Saturday people in Abingdon were transported even further back in time as they marked the anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Soldiers took over the town’s Market Place on Saturday for live war horses and a gas mask display. The Royal Norfolk Regiment Living History Group did drill sequences and there was a recruitment stand with a company nurse.

Milton youngster Aaron Fraser, eight, went to the heritage day with grandma Liz Fraser, 60, of Sherwood Avenue in Abingdon.

He said: “We watched Punch and Judy and the Morris dancers, but Punch and Judy was my favourite.

“And I liked having my photo taken as well.

“The costumes of the people dressed in army uniforms were really good and so was the music.”

Oxford Mail:

Wally Foreman, chairman of the Royal Naval Association at Banbury’s Battle of Britain day

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