On September 13 my wife Christine and I were invited by Douglas Marsh from the Royal Air Force’s Association to attend a service in commemoration and thanksgiving for victory in the Battle of Britain 1940.
The service was held at St Matthew’s Church in Sutton Bridge. From the outset, I knew the service would be a dignified occasion because the event was organised by the same people who organised the Propeller service we attended the previous weekend.
The Battle of Britain Service commemorates the great victory won by the Royal Air Force which saved Britain from invasion.
The service began with the Thanksgiving for Deliverance Fanfare and we then sang the National Anthem. After the church service, there was a moment of reflection.
Rev Oxtoby then invited the congregation to join him outside the church. We walked to a private part of the graveyard designated to the Royal Air Force and the Commonwealth War Graves. It was very poignant walking through the section dedicated to the airman from eight countries many of whom lost their lives whilst training at Sutton Bridge Airfield.
The service continued with prayers and wreaths were laid at the marble monolith. Then from nowhere, a Spitfire flew over our heads three times, tipped its wings to say goodbye and flew off. You can imagine this was a talking point for the next few minutes.
After the service, we walked back through the graveyard looking at the 50 or more war graves noticing that the average age of these extremely brave men was only mid-20s. They came from Canada, New Zealand and I did notice a German pilot was also laid to rest in the churchyard. One could not imagine what thoughts would have gone through those young men’s minds when they heard the word “scramble”.
The service stirred our souls and we were humbled and thankful to have been invited to join in the commemoration and thanksgiving service.
Thank you for inviting us and congratulations Sutton Bridge for two extremely well-organised events in two consecutive weekends. You have done the RAF proud.
Coun Rodney Grocock
Vice-chairman
South Holland District Council
