Tribute to Battle of Britain heroes

THE annual Thurrock tribute to the Battle of Britain heroes took place at the war memorial in Grays High Street on Sunday (20 september), with pride of place given to 101-year-old Jim Gooding, one of the few remaining combatants who flew in World War Two.

Mr Gooding, president of Thurrock RAFA Association which organised the event, laid a wreath and read the exhortation.

Other wreaths were laid by Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Bill Cook, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Michael Almond, Thurrock Council deputy leader Cllr Alan Benson and representatives of service organisations.

Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Bill Cook laid a civic wreath.

The service was led by Padre Maureen McPherson, Methodist lay preacher and RAF Chaplain for the Thurrock branch, and parade marshall was Warrant Officer Greg Bagshaw, OC 1582 (Stanford branch) Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC).

Members of local ATC squadrons and Thurrock Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets were on parade. Their standard bearers were joined by members of the Royal British Legion.