VETERANS gathered at St Eval Church to commemorate a pivotal moment in the defence of the United Kingdom during World War II.

Representatives from RAF St Mawgan, RAFA St Mawgan Branch and 781 Newquay Royal Air Force Cadets attended a special service to mark Battle of Britain Day.

The service was officiated by the Reverend (Wing Commander) Andrew Turner RAF (Retired). RAF St Mawgan Station commander Wing Commander Helen Simpson gave a reading.

The service included the dedication of a new banner for 781 Newquay Royal Air Force Cadets, which RAFA St Mawgan branch had funded. Standards from the RAFA branch and the Royal British Legion were also paraded.

St Mawgan Military Wives Choir led the hymns and provided a “stirring interlude during the Time of Reflection.”

A spokesperson for RAF St Mawgan said: “We gathered to commemorate what is generally taken to be a pivotal moment in the defence of the United Kingdom during World War II - Battle of Britain Day.

“At what is always a very special service, in a very special church, service personnel from RAF St Mawgan joined their families, colleagues, veterans, cadets and locals to remember the events which, 84 years ago, delivered a decisive defeat to the Luftwaffe.

“The beautiful St Eval Church has a close connection to RAF St Mawgan, and a fascinating history of its own. When all dwellings in St Eval were being cleared to make way for RAF St Eval, RAF St Mawgan's forerunner, to be developed, the church itself was saved as aircrew at the time found it a very useful navigational tool.

“In June 1940 the Coastal Command station became a sector headquarters for Fighter Command and its aircraft took an active part in the Battle of Britain.”