ROYAL Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and Parachute Regiment veterans paraded through the streets of Chelmsford on Sunday, September 19, 2010 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Only a handful of actual RAF veterans of the battle, the last of the few, were able to attend.
Chelmsford branch of the RAFA organised the parade which concluded with a wreath being laid during a commemorative service at Chelmsford Cathedral.
Essex skies were second only to those of Kent in the amount of airto-air combat they saw in the summer of 1940.
The colourful parade began in Market Road before marching along Victoria Road and Duke Street past the front of the Shire Hall, where the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, took the salute from its steps.
He was flanked by Air Commodore Robert McAlpine, representing the Chief of the Air Staff; the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Alan Arnott; Chairman of Essex County Council, Rodney Bass and the High Sheriff of Essex, Michael Hindmarch.
King Edward VI Grammar School Corps of Drums in the scarlet uniforms of the old Essex Regiment led the parade.
Six branches of the RAFA and eight other ex-service associations marched behind.
Lord Petre said: "We commemorate the Battle of Britain every year but this year is the 70th anniversary so it is a very special event.
"It is very good to keep these things in mind if only to ensure that they do not happen again."
Parade organiser John Candler, 74, recalled his own memories of the war and said the parade represented past, present and future generations of the air force.
"The people taking part in the parade represent the air force of yesterday, the air force of today and the air force of tomorrow," he said.
"The important thing to remember with the Battle of Britain is that it was the turning point of the war."
Peter Summer, 73, from Stanford-le-hope, served in the RAF between 1955 and 1957.
He said: "The Battle of Britain was the defining moment of the war and of our history."
Mr Summer also paid tribute to current servicemen abroad.
He said: "Our servicemen are laying their lives on the line.
"They should be remembered because of what they are doing for us."
His wife Iris, 72, said: "It is very good to see the young boys and girls alongside the veterans in the parade.
"It joins all the generations together."
It was not just the pilots of the RAF that fought in the pivotal Second World War battle.
Fifty-nine naval pilots saw action in September 1940, nine of whom lost their lives.
Richard Ascot, 75, from Maldon, served with the Fleet Air Arm -- the flying arm of the Royal Navy -- between 1956 and 1959.
Mr Ascot said: "It is particularly important to remember our servicemen at this time, particularly with what is going on in Afghanistan."
Hugh McCrea, 17, from the King Edward VI Grammar School Corps of Drums, led the parade.
He said: "I don't think the Battle of Britain is something that should be forgotten.
"It is important to show respect."
The commemorative service was led by the Dean of the cathedral, the Very Rev Peter Judd.
The Rev Wing Commander Ian Ward, from the RAF Chaplaincy Department gave the address.
He spoke for the RAF of Today while the ATC represents the RAF of Tomorrow and the veterans, the RAF of Yesterday, but all jointly celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of the Few.
Two of the Battle of Britain veterans in the cathedral were Ted Gurton, who went on to serve in Burma and JH Haylett, both Chelmsford residents.
The Reverend Wing Commander Ian Ward read the sermon at the commemorative service.
He read the famous words of Spanish philosopher George Santayana, which embodied the essence of the parade: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
During the day a small exhibition took place in the foyer of Shire Hall featuring the Chain Home radar system that was an important part in the success of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tvmgk
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Blackpool Veterans Parade 2010by blackpoolpromenade922 views
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