SPITFIRES soared through the Swindon sky yesterday as hundreds gathered to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the greatest air battle of all time.

Delayed by low cloud at Goodwood, the Battle of Britain memorial flight, comprising four Spitfires and two Hurricanes roared over the town in perfect formation just before 3pm.

The spectacular display flew over the grave of town Battle of Britain hero Squadron Leader Harold Starr in Radnor Street cemetery to mark his contribution to the war effort.

Applause rang through the cemetery as crowds gathered to show solidarity with Starr and his 534 fellow RAF fighter Command pilots killed in the battle.

Swindon-born Starr was the leader of 253 Squadron but was killed in 1940 when he bailed out of his plane and was machine-gunned to death by three Bf 109s.

Steph and Steve Jackson, of Kent Road, said they were proud to show their respects to the Battle of Britain fallen.

“It was truly spectacular and you almost get a bit emotional thinking about how young they were,” Steph said.

Steve said: “It was a little bit of nostalgia and it was respectful to come and pay our respects. The country would be a very different place if it weren’t for these men.”

The memorial flight followed The Swindon Remembers Battle of Britain 75 celebration at the cemetery organised by Swindon Heritage, in association with Paul R Gentleman Associates and Green Rook.

Harold’s brother, Wing Commander Norman John Starr, was also remembered at the event.

On the eve of his wedding Norman was shot down in 1945 over Dunkirk en route to Wroughton Airfield and is also buried at Radnor Street Cemetery.

War veterans, school children and Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester took their seats by the Cross of Sacrifice to remember the fallen of the iconic air battle.

Spectators felt they had stepped back in time to Britain’s finest hour at celebration as the sound of an air-raid siren, wartime music, and Winston Churchill’s famous ‘Only The Few’ speech was relayed over loudspeakers.

Pupils from five primary schools – Goddard Park, King William Street, Lethbridge, Robert le Kyng and St Mary’s produced stained glass windows which were displayed in the chapel for the Duke.

Master of ceremonies Jonty Messer opened the proceedings before Squadron Leader Stuart Patton read the poem High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

The duke then took to the stage to pay tribute to pilot Starr’s achievements “Squadron Leader Starr showed the finest of his community when he bravely fought for this country’s freedom and it is an honour to be here commemorating his sacrifice and all the other pilots who fought for our freedom,” he said.

The service was attended by members of Harold Starr’s family, including his 93-year-old nephew Retired squadron leader Peter Starr Mills who had not visited the ceremony since Harold’s funeral in 1940.

He said his charismatic uncle would have enjoyed the day’s celebrations and fondly referred to Harold and broth n Turn to page 4 n From page 3 er Norman as the ‘boys’.

“Harry would have loved it here today, he loved a celebration and I truly feel that he has been honoured in the best way,” he said.

“The boys were so close and it feels that they are here today.”

“I was so happy when I got the call from Swindon Remembers because it’s so important not only to remember my uncle but all those brave boys who died protecting our country.

Officials including the Duke, Mayor of Swindon Andrew Bennett and Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton then laid poppy wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice.

This was accompanied by the Last Post played by bugler George Staten of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, before a period of quiet reflection.

The Battle of Britain raged from May to September 1940. German Luftwaffe planes attacked RAF airfields and their buildings in an attempt to bring down the formidable force of the RAF. This was ahead of a planned land invasion by German soldiers.

RAF pilots were able to use skill and bravery to defeat the German attack and save Britain from invasion during the Second World War.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill famously said of the conflict: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many, to so few.”

Caroline Black, project manager at The Swindon Remembers Battle of Britain 75, said the day will forever remain in her memory.

“I’m really happy with how it all went today and seeing the amount of people that turned out for the ceremony today is something I will always remember,” she said.

“Our aim was to keep in mind the brave men that lost their lives for us in this battle. Today proves that we will never forget them.”