RAF Wittering News

The few were remembered on Sunday 15th September as RAF Wittering personnel and the people of historic Stamford commemorated the Battle of Britain.

The ancient and beautiful Saint Mary’s Church in Stamford was the venue for the special service, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the town’s war memorial on Broad Street. For Group Captain Jo Lincoln, the parade was her first since taking over as Station Commander in August.

The service was led in cooperation by Royal Air Force Chaplain, the Reverend Squadron Leader Stewart Shaw and Reverend Canon Dr Keith Denison. Public figures and officials including the Mayor of Stamford, joined Group Captain Lincoln and her officers.

Dr Denison, whose own father served with the Royal Air Force, asked that the sacrifices made during the Battle of Britain were not given in vain, and that our freedoms are maintained and shared.

Group Captain Lincoln gave the first reading, from the book of Ecclesiasticus. In his sermon, Reverend Squadron Leader Shaw spoke of the importance of talking to veterans and eyewitnesses and learning from them, whilst the opportunity remains.

Officer Commanding Operations Wing, Wing Commander Nick Maxey led over thirty Royal Air Force personnel as they paraded in full dress uniform and marched from the church to the War Memorial outside the celebrated Browne’s Hospital. Stirring musical support was provided by the Yarwell and Nassington Band.

 

After the wreath laying, Group Captain Lincoln met 96-year-old RAF Veteran Warrant Officer Bert Salvage, who had worked at RAF Wittering during the V-Bomber era.

The Battle of Britain was fought in the skies over Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940 and, nearly eighty years later it remains the defining engagement in the Royal Air Force’s hundred-year history.

Although flying from forward operating bases, RAF Wittering Squadrons were heavily involved in the Battle of Britain. Additionally, the Station was very active during the Blitz and was the main fighter station for the south-east Midlands.

Darren Rawnsley, a former Stamford Poet Laureate, brought the commemorations to a thought provoking close. In the mediaeval surroundings of Browne’s Hospital, Mr Rawnsley read ‘Chocks Away’ a poem he composed specially for the occasion.

Group Captain Lincoln said: “Today the people of Stamford have shown us that the sacrifices made in the Battle of Britain are as meaningful today as they were almost eighty years ago. Some people who live in the town now, will be old enough to remember those second world war aircraft flying overhead.”

She concluded: “Though it goes back for over a century, we do not take our bond with Stamford for granted. Our people live in the town, spend their money in the shops and educate their children here, and it feels like we are as welcome now as we always have been.”