Council marks Battle of Britain anniversary in Horsham

Horsham District Council’s Chairman Cllr Karen Burgess led a simple wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Horsham’s Carfax on the morning of the Battle of Britain 80^th anniversary on Tuesday 15 September 2020.

She was accompanied by the Vice Chairman Cllr David Skipp and Cabinet Member for Horsham Town Council Cllr Peter Burgess, together with Ian Nicholson from the Horsham branch of the Royal British Legion and Pam Saunders from the Royal Observer Corps Association.

In her address, Cllr 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. 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.

HDC Chairman, Cllr Karen Burgess

Traditional events which would normally happen to commemorate this day with live audiences were unable to take place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

For media enquiries please email us at press@horsham.gov.uk .