Battle of Britain Day – 15th September 1940-2010

Today is Battle of Britain Day. I went on a work’s outing to London.

It was a great way to spend the day with much time to contemplate the brave Few and the resilience of the British Public.

I viewed London from the Eye and took some atmospheric shots. I then spent three hours in the IWM. I saw the amazing remains of Ray Holme’s Hurricane (this pilot/aircraft finally sealed the fate of the Dornier sending it into Victoria Station) 70 years ago almost to the hour it crashed.

I then had a meal in the Oxo and watched sunset and St Pauls start to dominate the skyline again as it did in 1940.

My thanks and pride go out to the Few and all they did and sacrificed so that I could be here now.

I make no apologies quoting one of my favourite poems by Lord Balfour of Inchrye:

On Weald of Kent I watched once more….
Again I heard that grumbling roar…
of fighter planes, yet none were near…
and all around the sky was clear.
Borne on the wind a whisper came….
Though men grow old, They stay the same..
and then I knew, unseen to eye…
the ageless Few were sweeping by.