Special Horsham ceremony marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

A special ceremony was held in Horsham today to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
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Horsham District Council chairman Karen Burgess led a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in the twon centre this morning.

She was accompanied by vice chairman David Skipp and cabinet member for Horsham Town Council Peter Burgess, together with Ian Nicholson from the Horsham branch of the Royal British Legion and Pam Saunders from the Royal Observer Corps Association.

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In an address, Councillor Burgess said: “As we gather here to commemorate events that took place 80 years ago in the skies of southern England, and the gallantry of our Royal Air Force, made up of young men and women from our colonies and allies, we should also remember other elements of the Royal Air Force that equally played their part in these difficult and dangerous times.

Horsham District Council vice chairman David Skipp and council chairman Karen Burgess at the Battle of Britain ceremonyHorsham District Council vice chairman David Skipp and council chairman Karen Burgess at the Battle of Britain ceremony
Horsham District Council vice chairman David Skipp and council chairman Karen Burgess at the Battle of Britain ceremony

“These heroic events were instrumental in stopping the invasion of Great Britain.

“The crews and ground staff of Bomber Command, Coastal Command, Transport Command and the Royal Air Force Regiment who defended our airfields. We will for ever be in their debt. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

“We will remember them.”

Traditional events which would normally happen to commemorate this anniversary with live audiences were unable to take place because of the coronavirus pandemic.