Battle of Britain 2024
A military parade and a flyover from one of the country’s most iconic planes – the Avro Lancaster – were two of the key highlights from Banbury’s 2024 Battle of Britain Memorial. The event, which also included a service in St. Mary’s Church, served as an occasion for those to remember all of the fighter pilots who risked everything to repel the threat of Nazi Germany during the campaign, which lasted from the 10th July 1940 and finished with a British victory on the 31st of October of that same year.
Attendees started to gather outside Town Hall from 11:00, with the military parade setting off for St. Mary’s Church at 12:00. Once there, a special service was held to remember ‘the few’ (the collective name for the British forces that took part in the Battle of Britain), as well as other soldiers who risked or lost their lives fighting to ensure Britain’s freedom.
Once the service was completed, crowds gather on the carpark opposite the church to watch a flypast from the last remaining airworthy Avro Lancaster in the UK. This historic plane soared almost directly over Banbury Cross, a fitting and awe-inspiring sight. Celebrating British history, heritage, and aviation, the plane was met with cheers as it flew low over the town centre on its route across several counties.
Banbury has always proudly celebrated its ties to the Battle of Britain; during the Second World War, the town’s businesses and residents played a crucial role in contributing to the war effort, whether fighting, working in factories, and generally supporting their local communities.
With the Battle of Britain regarded by many to be the most important point in the conflict as far as the UK’s sovereignty was concerned, this memorial serves as an ideal opportunity for residents to pay respects to those of Banbury’s past who helped to ensure its future.
The Battle of Britain Memorial falls upon Battle of Britain Day. On the 15th September 1940, the Luftwaffe tried to lure out the full fighting force of the RAF by launching a huge attack on London, it’s largest of the campaign up to that point. The ensuing aerial battles and dogfights resulted in a British victory, and was a contributing factor to the Germans abandoning the campaign altogether, and thus putting to rest Operation: Sea Lion, the planned Nazi land invasion of the UK.
Next year will mark 85 years since the Battle of Britain, and with only one surviving member of ‘the few’ still alive, it is an event that is disappearing from living memory and into the history books. Therefore, it is important to encourage remembrance of this critical battle, the last great conflict over British soil.
Banbury Town Council is proud to be one of the few remaining towns celebrating the Battle of Britain with a dedicated memorial event, thanks in large part to a dedicated portion of its population who have strived to keep the military campaign in the public consciousness.
This event has been organised by Banbury Town Council in partnership with the Royal Air Force, 1460 (Banbury) Squadron Air Cadets, Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force, Thames Valley Police, Sea Cadets Banbury, Royal British Legion Banbury, and the RAFA Club Banbury.
Anyone looking for more information can send an email to info@banbury.gov.uk. Meanwhile, stay up to date on council events of all sizes by following Banbury Town Council on Facebook and @banburyevents on Instagram.