A ceremony to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was held Sunday at 12 Wing Shearwater. Hundreds gathered to mark the occasion. The ceremony included a parade and laying of wreaths. “We are fortunate to have members of 12 Wing but also some local cadet units participating in the ceremony,” said 12 Wing Chief Warrant Officer James McCarron. “We do have wreaths being laid on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy, and also the Government of Canada.” Ceremonies to mark the Battle of Britain are held on the third Sunday of September each year. The actual battle itself took place on Sept. 15, 1940. It was the first battle to be fought solely in the air and it laid the foundation for the Royal Canadian Air Force. “This battle over London against tyranny took place and 1,500 aircraft took to the skies to defend the U.K. and London specifically,” said Col. Tara Willis, Commander of 12 Wing Shearwater. Twenty-three Canadian pilots died during the battle. “I think it’s absolutely important to remember the face of courage and dedication, what it’s like to be scared but to go anyway,” said Willis. “For these young boys, these young men, to be called to duty and to serve, it’s a reminder to us the importance of our shared values and what this dedication and commitment means in the Royal Canadian Air Force. We continue to share these values and we continue to be ready, God forbid we ever needed to fight tyranny again.” With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jim Kvammen For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
