THE legacy of Harold Starr will live on with his name becoming a frequent sight along the Great Western mainline as he notches up speeds of 100mph.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester was guest of honour on platform one at Swindon Railway Station on Tuesday where he proudly unveiled a commemorative plaque to Swindon’s heroic Battle of Britain squadron leader.

The prince carried out a naming ceremony to officially dedicate the train in memory of those who lost their lives during the Battle of Britain, while unveiling the polished letters that spell out Harold’s name on the side of the First Great Western High Speed Train.

First Great Western was the main sponsor of the week-long series of events held in the town, and arranged for the Class 43 locomotive to be at the station for the naming ceremony, where it appeared in the rather unusual formation of being back to back with another engine.

General manager for the Central region, Rob Mullen said: “We are delighted to be able pay our due respects to the heroes of 253 Squadron and RAF Fighter Command, and we’re proud to be naming one of our High Speed Trains in honour of Harold. It is important as a country that we commemorate this anniversary, and remember those who bravely gave so much.”

The ceremony came after the prince attended a commemoration service at Radnor Street Cemetery to pay tribute to Harold Starr and The Few.

The Swindon-born pilot rose to be the leader of 253 Squadron, but was killed during the Battle of Britain which saw him bail out of his plane at 15,000 feet over Kent. He was machine gunned to death as he descended in his parachute when three Bf 109s came back for him.

The battle was arguably the most significant single victory in the Second World War, averting the invasion that seemed inevitable after the defeat at Dunkirk in the spring of 1940. With the Luftwaffe unable to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force during that summer, Hitler abandoned his invasion plans for that October.

Even while the battle raged, and before Harold Starr was killed on August 31, Winston Churchill immortalised those who took part when he said: “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.”

Caroline Black, who has been managing Swindon Remembers Battle of Britain 75, said: “First Great Western’s support has been absolutely fantastic and we’ve also secured support from the Orbital Shopping Centre, AMCS Limited, InSwindon, The Brunel Swindon along with the assistance of the Steam Museum, Hospitality Services and Swindon Borough Council.

“It is incredible to think that there will be a train named after Harold thundering up and down the mainline.”