Battle of Britain pilots honoured

Battle of Britain town pays homage to remaining few

A History and Honour news article

29 Jun 10

Bromley town centre was brought to a standstill on Friday when residents turned out in their hundreds to pay tribute to some of the last few remaining Battle of Britain pilots. Report by Ian Carr.

The Battle of Britain veterans arrive in Bromley town centre in a convoy of vintage cars
[Picture: Sgt Andy Malthouse ABIPP, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

The event was part of the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary commemoration and saw six veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, heartily cheered as they arrived in Bromley's Market Square in a convoy of vintage vehicles as part of a parade led by 228 (Bromley) Squadron Air Training Corps.

Leader of the London Borough of Bromley, Councillor Stephen Carr, welcomed the 'living legends' Captain Billy Drake, Flight Lieutenant Bill Green, Flight Lieutenant William Walker, Squadron Leader Tony Iveson, Wing Commander Bob Foster and Wing Commander Peter Ayerst who, along with 3,000 other young airmen, had done their bit to defend 1940s Britain from the aerial onslaught by German bombers, and arguably from German invasion.

The event was held in Bromley due to the town's proximity to the famous fighter station at RAF Biggin Hill which was at the centre of events in the summer of 1940.

Wing Commander Martin Tinworth, Battle of Britain 70th anniversary project officer, said:

"There is a huge level of public interest in this anniversary across the country and we want to show that the RAF is a progressive and modern Service that is proud of its heritage."...

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