SERVICE veterans, including 100-year-old former WWII Flight Sergeant Jim Gooding, will remember the heroes of the Battle of Britain at a ceremony in Grays today (Sunday, 21 September).

It will take place from 10.40am at the war memorial on the town's High Street when the veterans will be joined by civic dignitaries.

This year the annual event, organised by Thurrock Branch of the RAF Association, marks the 85 anniversary of the culmination of the Battle of Britain, when RAF Fighter Command claimed the battle to be a decisive victory over the German Luftwaffe.

On 15th September 1940 the German Luftwaffe launched a massive assault in the skies over the south east with the aim of obliterating the Royal Air Force.

It was a day of heavy fighting, and the Luftwaffe suffered significant casualties.

It was a decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe, and since then this date has been celebrated as 'Battle of Britain Day'.

At its zenith, the RAF had only 749 fighter aircraft available compared to 2,550 available to the Luftwaffe. It really was a battle to save Britain.

Defending our skies came at a significant cost, with 544 RAF aircrew killed during the Battle of Britain. 312 RAF personnel were killed on the ground. 

Mr Gooding, whose 100th birthday was celebrated recently, is President of the borough's RAF Association branch, which will host an after-event reception and barbecue for guests at its premises on Orsett Road, and he will be joined in laying wreaths by Thurock MP Jen Craft and borough Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick.

The service will feature music from Grays Town Band.

The programme for the event can be viewed here.