13/09/2026
Today representatives from Hinckley Branch attended the 86th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Britan at the towns War Memorial. The Vice Lord Lieutenant for Leicestershire, along with Hinckley & Bosworth Mayor, our President, Dr Luke Evens MP and other dignitaries gathered to honour the brave Airman and ground crews of this historic period in our Nation’s military history during the late summer of 1940. As the Prime minister of the time, Winston Churchill famously coined the infamous quotations:
"The Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation... Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour'."
Churchill went on to praise the Royal Air Force pilots, stating: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
A privilege to support this event, a huge thanks of gratitude to the Hinckley Airforce Cadet unit and all the supporters & sponsors of the parade, whose efforts made for a wonderful service and commemoration.
I very much appreciate the invitation to speak at the service and with my service connections to the RAF I was deeply honoured and delighted to address the gathered crowds. My father was in the RAF and served in Malaya, spending 2 years in Changi – the infamous Japanese prisoner of war camp. Which later became RAF Changi – an operational RAF Airforce Camp post War.
My family service history expands further, my eldest brother joined the NAVY, my next brother joined the RAF, I enlisted in the Army; like my grandfather did in 1914 who went on the serve 4 years on the front in France until March 1919.
As such. I fully understand and appreciate the sacrifice and commitment made by all those who enrolled into service at a time of our countries dire need. I salute you all, past present and future advocates of our Armed Forces Community. God bless you all.
L Bagshaw
Hinckley Branch Chairman
