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Being one of the two people living in Hawkinge who served there: Not in my name either

PP

From Suffolk

Dear Sir.

Have just come across this article whilst scanning local news and find I agree with the sentiment that Hawkinge/Battle of Britain'fun day do not sit easily together.I am currently writing a book on the battle and am appalled that leadership on this issue will appeal to a 'fun' day..

A Battle of Britain theme day would have been more appropriate.

Let these men NOT ever be forgotten.

Sincerely

PHIL COPLAND

[a former Primary teacher]

'The Few' were 2353 young men from Great Britain and 574 from overseas, who are officially recognised as having taken part in the Battle of Britain.

Each flew at least one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit of the Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm during the period 10 July to 31 October 1940.

544 lost their lives during the period of the Battle. A further 791 were killed in action or died in the course of their duties before the wars end,

The Foreign Legion

Poland 139

New Zealand 98

Canada 86

Czechoslovakia 84

Belgium 29

Australia 21

South Africa 20

France 13

Ireland 10

United States 7

Jamaica 1

Palestine Mandate(Israel) 1

Southern Rhodesia 1

Unknown 8

Lets also not forget the many Luftwaffe pilots involved and those that lost their lives. I very much doubt they were all evil.

Nor the thousands of civilian casualties of which many were children.

We should also not forget that the selection processes of potential RAF candidates were more concerned with social standing than actual aptitude leading up to the war. This process could easily have lead to our DEFEAT! But Kent remains forever INVICTA with many thanks to 'The Few'.

There are plenty of resources in libraries and the internet.

Best Regards,

Gary H

[Folkestone]