A SMALL service of remembrance took place in Grays this morning as Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price joined veterans and supporters of local service organisations to pay tribute to the heroes of the Battle of Britain.

Though Covid-19 has put paid to much of the planned commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the battle fought in the skies over southern England members of the Thurrock RAF Association felt it was still important to mark the event and the short, unheralded ceremony took place at the Grays war memorial today (Sunday, 20 September).

As well as Ms Doyle-Price's tribute, wreaths were laid by the Air Training Cadets, local RAFA president and former WWII bomber crew member Jim Gooding and Rod Oakley of Thurrock Royal British Legion. The service was led by local preacher and Air Cadets Padre Maureen MacPherson.

Earlier in the week a ceremony took place in the borough to honour a Spitfire pilot who died when his plane crashed near Bulphan on the last day of the battle.