Huntingdon & District Branch No 6 Area RNA Parades

Battle of Britain: 74th Anniversary Commemoration at Huntingdon War Memorial

21 September 201424 September 2014 Karl Webb Karl Webb, RAFA, RBL

On Sunday 21st September 2014, Colonel Derek Bristow OBE DL (representing the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire) the Mayor of Huntingdon, local Councillors and members of local Armed Forces Associations, were invited to join the Royal Air Force Association in a Battle of Britain Commemoration ceremony at Huntingdon’s War Memorial.

RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band take position in front of the War Memorial

The parade was organised by the Huntingdon & District Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, with the Branch President, Air Commodore S B Schofield, Branch Chairman, Group Captain R F Saunders, and members of the Branch watching over events (including Richard Turpin OBE, who had invited Huntingdon & District RNA to the commemoration).

The Salute is received by Colonel Derek Bristow and Councillor Tanya Forster

With all participants in place, the ceremony began with a General Salute to the Deputy Lieutenant, Col Derek Bristow, and the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tanya Forster. After the Two Minute Silence, the Air Cadets and Band were inspected by the Deputy Lieutenant and Deputy Mayor. The parade concluded with the Standard Bearers marching to All Saints’ Church to line the approach as all participants made their way into the church.

Standard Bearers lined the approach to All Saints' Church — Standard Bearers lined the approach to All Saints’ Church

Once the Civic Party and VIPs had taken their seats, the church service began with a welcome from the Rev’d Andrew Milton, the Bidding by the Station Chaplian (RAF Wyton), Rev’d Steve Radley, and Readings from the Deputy Mayor and Sqn Ldr Andy Strefford (representing RAF Wyton). The RAFA Branch Chaplain, Mr Tony Perryman, gave a Sermon before the National Anthem was played. The Remembrance was spoken by the RAFA Branch Chairman before the Last Post was sounded. After the Silence and Reveille, the RAF Association Dedication was spoken by the Branch President.

After further prayers and hymns, the National Anthem was played to mark the end of the Service. All participants were then invited to join the President and members of the RAF Association for refreshments in the Huntingdon Town Hall.

Participants were invited for refreshments at the Town Hall

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Gallery: Click on the first image to view other photographs taken during the Battle of Britain Commemoration: