RAF’s war heroes are honoured by parade, church service and fly-past

ROUNDS of applause greeted a parade of veterans, serving personnel and cadets as it made its way through the streets of Ripon yesterday.

The annual event remembers the efforts of Royal Air Force pilots of Fighter Command who took on the might of the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Onlookers clapped as personnel from RAF Leeming, paraded through to the Market Square, where the salute was taken by the Mayor of Ripon, Coun Mick Stanley, and RAF Leeming Station Commander, Group Captain Steve Reeves.

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During the salute, there was a flypast by two Hawk jets from 100 Sqn, based at RAF Leeming.

The parade was followed by a service at Ripon Cathedral, where the squadron’s standard is laid up.

RAF Leeming opened in 1940 as a bomber station during the Second World War.

In 1943, the station was assigned to No. 6 Group Royal Canadian Air Force, operating Whitley, Stirling, Halifax and Lancaster bombers.

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