RAF Northolt on parade at the Polish War Memorial Commemoration for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Sir Stephen Dalton laying a wreath.Representatives from Hillingdon Council, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee and RAF Northolt stood together at the official opening of the new Polish War Memorial Remembrance Garden on Saturday 5 September to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
The garden, designed and created by Hillingdon Council with a contribution from the Polish Embassy, was opened by the Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE and the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in London, His Excellency Witold Sobkow at the annual Polish Air Force Memorial Ceremony.
The opening was followed by the annual Polish Air Force Memorial Ceremony, in which RAF Northolt personnel were on parade and was concluded by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
A Portland Stone obelisk with granite plaques, one in English and one in Polish were unveiled in the new garden to mark the occasion and blessed by Monsignor Wylezek.
The Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: „The council is extremely proud of its close links with the military and we are delighted that in this 75th anniversary year, we are able to acknowledge the significant contributions made by the Polish Air Force in securing victory in the Battle of Britain. This garden will provide a peaceful and beautiful open space for people to be able to remember and reflect on the pivotal role they played.”
RAF Northolt’s Station Commander, Group Captain David Manning, said: “History recognises the significant contribution of the Polish pilots and airmen during the Battle of Britain 75 years ago. We at RAF Northolt are extremely proud of the close link that we cherish and maintain with the Polish communities to this day. It has been a superb commemoration ceremony and as Station Commander I am hugely honoured to be able to represent the station, honour the memory of those pilots and airmen, and spend with time with the inspirational veterans and their families.”
Ambassador Witold Sobków, said: „The contribution made by 145 Polish fighter pilots to the Battle of Britain, who fought in No. 302 and No. 303 Polish Squadrons as well as in British units, is a source of immense pride for Poland and the Polish community in the UK. Out of the overall number of fighter pilots from Allied countries, they constituted the second largest contingent after the British. We are very thankful to Hillingdon Council that the sacrifice made by Polish airmen and airwomen “for your freedom and ours” will now be commemorated also by this peaceful garden.”
The Polish Air Force Memorial Ceremony attracted representation at the highest levels of officials from Poland as well as senior British representatives. Wreaths were laid by the Polish and British Governments, Local Authorities, the Polish Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Veterans of individual squadrons or their descendants also laid wreaths for each Polish squadron that flew alongside the Royal Air Force from 1940 to 1945.
Interpretation Boards, also in both languages, and installed adjacent to the obelisk state 'This Memorial Garden is dedicated with grateful thanks to the Polish Air Force by the London Borough of Hillingdon.’
Editor: Sqn Ldr Tenniswood
Photographs:
RAF BBMF Spitfire flys past.
© MOD Crown Copyright 2015