LAST week the Ross-on-Wye community came together to commemorate ‘The Battle of Britain’ - the country’s successful defence against large-scale air attacks by Nazi Germany’s air force.

The event was attended by the town’s mayor along with other members of Ross Town Council and Ross and District Branch of the Royal British Legion.

In her address, the mayor, Councillor Sarak Freer, commented: “In the summer of 1940, the skies above England roared with the sound of battle.

“Outnumbered and outgunned, young pilots of the Royal Air Force scrambled into their Spitfires and Hurricanes, hearts pounding as they rose to meet the relentless waves of Luftwaffe bombers. Each day, the fate of a nation hung in the balance.

“The battle raged for months, but by autumn, the RAF had turned the tide. The enemy’s advance was halted, and Britain stood—scarred, but unbroken—its freedom defended by the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the skies.”

September 15 is celebrated as Battle of Britain Day as it marked the peak and a decisive turning point of the massive aerial campaign in 1940.

The chairman of the Legion’s Ross and District Branch, Paul Cummings, commented that this was the Town’s seventh formal Civic / Royal British Legion flag raising ceremony of the year and that Ross occupies a distinctive position within Herefordshire, delivering a considerably wider and well-established programme of such events than other market towns, which included Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan Days, the commemorations of the Korean war and the Falklands Conflict.

Mr Cummings thanked councillors and staff for their support in ensuring that the sacrifices made in wartime were recognised and remembered.

He also acknowledged Canon Freda Davies for her carefully chosen words, and branch members for continuing to support these important civic events.