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Day of tribute to war heroes
Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary: Rector of Wigan Rev Ray Hutchinson, who led the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication at Wigan Parish Church, and Fr Kevin Foulkes, of Our Lady's Catholic Church, Haigh, who gave the address, pose for a photograph in front of a replica Spitfire in Market Place with War veterans, members of the RAF Nimrod MRA4 Project Team based at BAE Systems, Warton, Wigan MP LIsa Nandy, Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue and other VIPs
IT was a time for reflection - Wiganers packed into the Parish Church to pay their respects to the country’s fallen yesterday.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication was held to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain.
Young and old alike joined the many war veterans who turned out to honour not only the fallen from the Second World War but also those currently fighting for our country.
The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces.
From July 1940 coastal shipping convoys and centres were the main targets; one month later the Luftwaffe shifted its attacks to RAF airfields and infrastructure.
Eventually the Luftwaffe resorted to attacking areas of political significance and using terror bombing tactics.
Local MPs Lisa Nandy and Yvonne Fovargue were among the dignitaries who attended to pay tribute.
Miss Nandy said: “It is so important to remember what these people did for our country. There is so much history that it is important we remember.”
Ms Fovargue added: “My father, who died four years ago served in the war, and although we do remember loss, he had such fond memories of the camaraderie.
“It is also important to remember all the people who have lost their lives fighting for our country in recent years so it is a very important day.”
This was highlighted during the service when a special prayer was dedicated to kingsman Darren Deady from Westhoughton who died aged just 22 years after he was shot in the Nahre Saraj District of Helmand Province on August 23.
The hero who was in the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment was flown home but died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham, on Friday, September 10.
Father Kevin Foulkes from Our Lady’s Church in Haigh addressed the congregation and spoke of how his parents Harry and Annie met during the war.
John Magee, who helped organise the day, was delighted with the turnout. He said: “The weather has been brilliant which has really helped. I’m so happy with how many people have come out to pay their respects. I also thought it was important that we remembered those still fighting for our country.”
Outside the church, a model spitfire was on show.
Ex-serviceman Lawrence Powers said: “You only have to look at how much people have donated to the Spitfire Fund to realise that people still want to remember those who fought for our country.”
Mr Powers, 84, from Orrell, is a national standard bearer for the St Helens Burma Star Association.
He fought in India and was just 17 when he first volunteered.
Donate to the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Memorial Fund at www.w3644.com.
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Weather for Wigan
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
