CROWDS gathered in the sunshine for the annual wreath-laying ceremony to honour the memory of fallen Polish airmen.
Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew past to start proceedings at noon for the 52nd annual commemoration at the Polish War Memorial, in West End Road, Ruislip, on Saturday.
The ceremony was accompanied by music from the Middlesex Wing Band.
Almost 400,000 Poles died defending Britain during the Second World War, and many of them had been stationed at RAF Northolt, in West End Road, Ruislip.
An exact replica of the Polish Air Force’s wartime flag – called the Wilno Standard – was paraded for the first time as part of the ceremony.
During the Second World War each Polish Squadron in turn held the unique standard, which was created in Soviet-occupied Wilno, Poland, in 1940.
It was smuggled to Britain and symbolised the link between the exiled forces and the country they fought for.
On one side the standard bears the words ‘God, Honour, the Homeland’ and on the other side ‘Love demands sacrifices’.
The standard will now be kept as part of the Polish exhibition at the airbase when not required ceremonially.
The wreath-laying service was attended by the Mayor of Hillingdon, councillor Michael Markham, members of the Polish School, Ealing, the Polish and the Royal Air Forces, air cadets from Polish Airforce Academy in Poland, and Polish war veterans representing the many airmen who gave their lives serving with the RAF.
