Battle of Britain
On Sunday, September 17th, 2023, a sea of spectators gathered at Horsefair to commemorate the Battle of Britain during Banbury Town Council's annual event. This solemn occasion paid tribute to the historic air battle fought in the skies above southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940. The day served as a tribute to the lives lost in the Battle of Britain and aimed to revive memories of Banbury’s significant behind-the-scenes role in this historic event.
In the early years of World War II, the town’s aluminium factory (initially the NAC, later Alcan and Sapa) played a significant role as the largest producer of aircraft metal in the country. It played a crucial role in supplying aluminium for the manufacturing of RAF planes, including iconic aircraft like Spitfires and Lancaster bombers. It has been suggested that had the Banbury factory not existed or been targeted in bombings, the outcome of the Battle of Britain could have been significantly different.
Organised by the town council, hundreds of people lined the streets to applaud as a military and civic parade marched through the town, culminating at St Mary’s Church for a poignant memorial service. Following the memorial service, a breathtaking flypast was performed by a Lancaster Bomber (Notably, there are only two airworthy Lancaster bombers remaining globally, despite 7,377 being built).
Banbury, is one of the last few remaining towns in the UK that still celebrate the Battle of Britain. This year Banbury Town Council helped to support the launch of the Wings Appeal in Banbury, a new scheme launched by the RAF Association.