1109 (Thetford) Squadron were out in numbers on Sunday, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a battle which was a dramatic turning point in the history of the Second World War.
Twenty three cadets accompanied by squadron staff attended a church service at St Cuthbert’s, Thetford, alongside the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association, local dignitaries and senior offices from RAF Honington, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. 1109 Squadron Chaplain, Padre Helen Jary gave a fitting sermon which paid tribute to service personnel from across the country and allied forces, as well as local men and women from Norfolk.
After the service the cadets and staff gathered around the memorial in the Market Square, where Cadet Sergeant Georgia Brinkley gave a reading and Cadet Paul Snelling laid a wreath on behalf of the squadron.
1109 Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Samuel Chapman-Allen said, ‘today was our opportunity to pay our respects to those brave few who undaunted by odds had the moral courage to keep climbing into those cockpits to fight an enemy. Many of those pilots being not much older than our cadets and we owe every servicemen and women, past and present a great debt, to be willing to step forward to protect all which is right’.
1109 squadron have a close relationship with the Royal British Legion in Thetford and support many of their events. The RBL thanked the cadets for being part of a very important event.