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19
Sept 2023
Ripon remembers Battle of Britain heroes
Those who fought 83 years ago in the Battle of Britain, were remembered in a service held at Ripon War Memorial on Sunday morning.
The battle, which started in July 1940 and ended on October 31 of that year, was at its height in mid September and is recognised as the first major defeat inflicted on Germany in World War II.
For Karen Harrison, who attends Spa Gardens each year to pay her respects to all who took part in the conflict, there was an added poignancy, as her late father Leslie John Tweed almost lost his life at the hands of the Luftwaffe, but lived to tell the tale.
His story was recounted by Mike Chambers, chair of Ripon and District Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (pictured above with Canon Matthew Pollard, who led Sunday's service)
The retired squadron leader told how 19-year-old flight sergeant Tweed, flying a Hurricane fighter aircraft, became engaged in an aerial battle at 20,000 feet over Kenley near Croydon on September 6 1940.
After attacking a German Junkers JU88 aircraft, the young pilot's plane was hit by return fire and he prepared to abandon it, but after removing his helmet and goggles he passed out.
Regaining consciousness at 1,200 feet he found the canopy splattered with his own blood and baled out, landing in a tree, suspended by his parachute over the wreckage of his aircraft.
Following hospital treatment flight sergeant Tweed returned to duty on December 12, 1940 and went on to serve in the RAF until 1972 when he retired as a flight lieutenant.
Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke laid a wreath on behalf of the city council.
Ms Harrison, who is secretary of the Ripon and District Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association laid a wreath in memory of her father and all members of the RAF who, like him, played their part in the Battle of Britain.
The civic party at the war memorial
Others to lay Wreaths included Group Captain Gareth Prendergast, Station Commander at RAF Leeming and Squadron Leader Anthony Beasant of Menwith Hill, along with a member of the 886 (City of Ripon) Air Cadets, who were in attendance.
The Air Cadets stood to attention for the arrival of the RAF guard of honour
Ripon City Band, whose director, Mark Sidwell (pictured left) played the Last Post.
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