Local MPs, Justin Tomlinson & Robert Buckland, have joined Council Leader, David Renard, as Swindon Heritage unveiled plans which will see the town play a leading role in events marking the end of the battle over the skies of England in September.
Swindon Heritage is organising a week of events based around a unique tribute to Swindon born pilot Squadron Leader Harold Starr which will see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBFM) passing over the town on Battle of Britain Day itself – 15 September.
Harold Starr was born in Swindon in 1914 and rose to be the leader of 253 Squadron. He was tragically killed at the height of the air battle on 31 August 1940, eight days before his 26th birthday – one of the 544 pilots of RAF Fighter Command who died in the struggle against the odds to prevent Nazi Germany overwhelming British air defences.
Bailing out after his Hurricane was hit at 15,000 feet in the skies over Kent, he was then machine gunned to death as he descended in his parachute when the pilots of three Messerschmitt Bf 109s came back for him.
On 15th September, the BBMF will fly directly over Harold’s grave in Radnor Street Cemetery in a moving tribute as the culmination of a week of events called ‘Swindon Remembers.’
The Battle of Britain was arguably the most significant single victory in the Second World War since it averted the invasion that seemed inevitable after the disastrous defeat at Dunkirk in the spring of 1940. With the Luftwaffe unable to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force during that summer, Hitler abandoned his Operation Sea Lion invasion plan set for October that year.
Full-size replica Hurricanes and Spitfires will also be on display in the town centre on Saturday 12th September, along with other Second World War-themed attractions, while a family event will be held at Radnor Street Cemetery on Sunday 13th September.
First Great Western, the main sponsor of the week’s events, will also name a Class 43 locomotive in honour of Harold Starr.
The Swindon Heritage team have tracked down some of the surviving relatives who will be travelling to Swindon in September, some from as far away as Paris. It will also include Harold’s nephew who will be returning to Radnor Street cemetery for the first time since Harold’s funeral in 1940.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "I’m incredibly proud that Swindon is doing something special to recognise our heroes. My father was a history teacher and I continue his passion. As a democratic elected Member of Parliament I’m very conscious that the liberty of our country was under threat and we must never forget the brave airman who fought and lost their lives to protect the values we now cherish and take for granted. It’s absolutely fitting that the town is getting behind Swindon Remembers and I congratulate the team from Swindon Heritage for bringing together an exciting programme of events and involving people of all ages to keep memories alive."
Leader of Swindon Borough Council, David Renard, said: "I’m delighted that the commemorations are taking place in September. Having read about Harold Starr in Swindon Heritage magazine, it is a fascinating story that is being turned into a great festival for the whole town to celebrate the life and sacrifice of somebody from the town."
Rob Mullen from First Great Western, said: "We are delighted to be able pay our due respects to the heroes of 253 Squadron and RAF Fighter Command, and we’re proud to be naming one of our High Speed Trains in honour of Harold. It is important as a country that we commemorate this anniversary, and remember those who bravely gave so much."
Jamie Turner, Deputy Centre Manager at the Orbital Shopping Park, said: "We are immensely proud to support this event to honour Squadron Leader Harold Starr and the hundreds of others who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Britain. We are delighted to be involved in bringing the model Spitfire and Hurricane to Swindon for everyone to enjoy."
The programme of events for the commemoration includes:
• Tuesday 8th September: Civic Reception at Steam Museum on Harold Starr’s birthday, followed by three days of talks about him, the Battle of Britain and the book The Secrets of the Spitfire written by Swindon aeronautics researcher and historian Lance Cole
• Saturday 12th September: Static display in the town centre of life-size models of a Spitfire and a Hurricane, both of which were built in Swindon;
• Sunday 13th September: Family day at Radnor Street Cemetery, including the unveiling of designs for windows in the cemetery chapel, created by children at Goddard Park, King William Street, Lethbridge, Robert Le Kyng and St Mary’s;
• Tuesday 15th September: Battle of Britain Day. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will make a flypast over the centre of Swindon in tribute to Harold Starr and the 544 RAF pilots killed during the battle. The composition of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be decided nearer the day but Swindon Link understands that an enhanced collection of aircraft than the usual Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane could pass over the town.
This article originally featured here: http://swindonlink.com/2015/07/swindon-set-for-key-role-in-septembers-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-britain/
