Wednesday 15 September 2021

Battle of Britain Day 15 September 2021


'This was their kingdom, the air, and it bore them like kings,
And they were the shield for us all who dwelt under their wings.'
 Edward Shanks (1892 – 1953)




10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pilot in the centre picture is R G A Barclay; he was an outstanding young man. He was KIA 1942 RIP

WK said...

Those brave few.

Baronvonrob said...

How very poignant and moving...

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Yes, I chose the image of FO Barclay DFC, unnamed, to represent all the pilots who flew in the Battle. Our politicians chose not to remember Battle of Britain Day but instead our Prime Minister paid tribute to a tennis player. In the House of Commons Prime Ministers Questions session ears of wheat were worn by MPs to celebrate 'Back British Farming Day', a day designated by the National Farmers Union (NFU) in apparent ignorance that 15 September had been designated as Battle of Britain Day and commemorated for over 75 years.

Were it not for the young pilots of the RAF it is unlikely those MPs would have been in Parliament to forget them or the NFU exist to hi-jack a day of commemoration.

Danilo said...

Honestly I am not a great patriot but it seems to be a widespread attitude to let fade away the memory of those tragic days. As if - today- those who fought and died for our freedom annoyed the politicians. It's a bad suspicious slope down to oblivion....

Baronvonrob said...

Well stated Danilo and Nick !!

WD said...

Sadly, this seems to be a pattern here on my side of the pond as well. So sorry to hear of the behaviors in Parliament in relation to this day.
God bless those men from all over the globe that made their gallant stand.

Anonymous said...

Nick,
what a moving tribute.
I well remember the commemorative wings/roundel pin Badges being sold and now realise how this has just faded away.
I consciously try to educate my Grandchildren through my aircraft models.
Thank you.
VG

Anonymous said...

Quite by accident, I acquired a book owned by R G A Barclay when he was a child. It is one of my treasured possessions.
Both George an his brother died in the war.
No greater love...

Ken Glass said...

Only 1 BoB pilot is still living as of this month, per news reports. Thanks for the BoB reminder, Nick.