Last of 'The Few' Honoured At Battle Of Britain Service

Hundreds of invited guests have attended a special ceremony at Westminster Abbey to mark 78 years since the Battle of Britain.

The events of 1940 saw the RAF defend Britain from attacks by Germany's Luftwaffe. It was the first decisive battle in history fought entirely in the air.

Winston Churchill went on to praise the pilots with the immortal words, "Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few."

Pilots who fought in the battle have been known as 'The Few' ever since.

100-year-old veteran, Wing Commander Paul Farnes, was one of those RAF pilots who attended the service. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his 8 confirmed victories over enemy aircraft.

The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier, said the service was a "key goal" of the RAF centenary celebrations.

"To commemorate our past and all the achievements and the courage and sacrifice."

Other RAF veterans who served in the Second World War also attended the service.  

Gladys Eva was a radar operator and still has strong memories of her role in defending Britain against the German onslaught.

"It was a dangerous time because if they could have wiped out the radar system they would have been halfway to winning the war."