THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT'S
BATTLE OF BRITAIN AIRFIELD TRIBUTES

To mark the 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain, the Lieutenancy of Kent led tributes at the Kentish airfields that bore the brunt of Luftwaffe attacks.

The symbolic ceremonies were held at Eastchurch, Detling, Rochester, Gravesend and West Malling on Monday, 19 July, and Manston, Lympne and Hawkinge on Tuesday 20 July, ending at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne.

At each location civic leaders and old comrades joined the Lieutenancy party, led by the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L'Isle MBE DL, and wreaths were laid in memory of the fallen – military and civilian. Members of the public, including schoolchildren at Rochester and Gravesend, also attended.

The airfield tour was inspired by the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett CMG, The Queen's representative in the County, who as a small boy on his father's Thanet farm witnessed the aerial dogfights over Manston. Sadly he was unable to take part in the tributes himself as he is currently recuperating from surgery.

With the Lieutenancy party throughout the airfield tour was one of the last of The Few, Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC, and a serving Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal, who recently won the Distinguished Flying Cross rescuing casualties under fire in Afghanistan.

At each location Group Captain Patrick Tootal OBE DL, Secretary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, gave a description of the airfield's role and the Vice Lord Lieutenant spoke about the battle's significance.

Prayers for the fallen – and for those still on operational service today – were led by Royal Auxiliary Air Force Chaplain, the Rev Matthew Buchan, who was joined at Capel by The Right Reverend Dr Stephen Venner, former Bishop of Dover, who is now Bishop to the Armed Forces and a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey, where the airfield tributes began.

Detling, where the County Showground covers the wartime airfield site.

Rochester Airport, where a new memorial was unveiled.

Local schoolchildren were among those who took part at Gravesend.

West Malling, where wreaths were laid at the 'running airman' memorial.

Nine wreaths were laid at Manston, where as a small boy the Lord Lieutenant witnessed the battle.

At Lympne wreaths were laid beside a wartime bunker.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge was one of the most evocative locations.

The tour's closing tribute at the Memorial Wall at Capel-le-Ferne.