Honouring those lost in Battle of Britain

FORMER service personnel remembered Torbay's long-standing association with the RAF in a remembrance service for those lost in the Battle of Britain.

Sunday's service was part of the nationwide Battle of Britain Week, which remembers the lives lost when the RAF battled against the German Luftwaffe for control of the skies during the Second World War.

Organised by the Torquay branch of the Royal Air Force Association, the service was attended by members of the Royal Marines' Association, the Torquay and Paignton branches of the Royal British Legion and 200 Squadron Torquay and Brixham Air Cadets.

Torquay RAFA branch secretary Linda Tombs said: "Torbay has had an affinity with the RAF ever since the Second World War, when Torquay was completely taken over by the RAF.

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"All the hotels were taken over by service personnel as pilots and navigators were trained here. The Palace Hotel even became the hospital.

"Many people in the Torbay area have friends or relatives that have been involved in the RAF, and this service was for us to dedicate our thoughts and prayers to our lost servicemen and women."

The service has been held at St Mary Magdalene Church for more than 50 years, which is also home to the South West area standard.

As a nationwide organisation made up of ex serving personnel, the RAFA raises funds for the families of those involved with the RAF.

Mrs Tombs said: "The money we raise throughout the year goes to the welfare of ex serving RAF personnel. Last year, the Torquay branch managed to raise £21,000 through charitable events.

"The organisation also does a lot of work with serving personnel returning from Afghanistan."

This year the RAFA sponsored former RAF weapons technician Jon-Allan Butterworth to take part in the London Paralympic track cycling events where he won three silver medals in his events.

Mrs Tombs said: "Locally, our numbers are dropping but it is great to see all the good work we can do as an organisation."