Battle of Britain Remembrance Service

08 September 2010

The City of London Salute to the Battle of Britain and RAF WWII Veterans was held at St Paul's Cathedral on 7th September. The service took place on the 70th anniversary of the start of the Blitz.

On 7th September 1940, Hitler’s war offensive switched from military targets to the bombing of cities and industrial centres. The first attacks took place in London on that day; the beginning of a sustained campaign against the city’s citizens. To protect Londoners, RAF aircraft were launched against the Luftwaffe over the skies of London as part of the Battle of Britain. 

The service, held by the RAF Association, was followed by a parade through the nearby streets, over which a WWII Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota flew in salute. A full-sized Spitfire aircraft was positioned at the bottom of St Paul’s Cathedral’s west steps.

The event was attended by a wide variety of people involved in protecting the City of London in 1940, such as firefighters, nurses and ambulance workers, as well as Battle of Britain pilots and current RAF personnel.

 During the service, the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles said: 

"As we stand in this building, which itself stood as a national icon of defiance and hope amidst conflict and uncertainty, we pray for all those who hold memories of a campaign which protected this Island from invasion. We give thanks for the bravery and service of the members of the Royal Air Force as well as those who supported them from the land, especially for those who gave of their time to protect the life and heritage of our homes and cities. We recall too the cost of the campaign, commending to God those whose lives were taken in service and innocence in the struggle for power and freedom."

 Download the Order of Service