Oldham out in force to honour its war heroes

ON the march . . . the memorial parade makes its way through Oldham town centre

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OLDHAM has commemorated its brave Royal Air Force pilots, who fought in the Battle of Britain 75 years ago.

A parade full of pride celebrated the Battle of Britain campaign, which repelled a German air invasion in the summer and autumn of 1940. The RAF famously triumphed in what was one of the turning-point campaigns of the war.

Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of the climax of the battle that led to Britain’s victory, and Oldham honoured those from the borough who did their nation proud.

Oldham’s RAF Association marched through Oldham town centre to the war memorial outside Oldham Parish Church, where the Rev Derek Palmer read prayers in a ceremony honouring Oldham’s war heroes and the Mayor, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, laid a wreath.

Jim Caddick, president of the RAF’s Oldham branch, said: “For the Royal Air Force it is the most important day of the year and especially because this is the 75th anniversary. We owe them a huge thank-you.”