Deputy Lord Mayor marks bravery of Poland's WW2 air force

Fr Slawomir Witon, Cathedral Dean, Mr Artur Bildziuk, Chairman of Polish Air Force UK, Cllr Robert Rigby, Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster.

The bravery of Polish pilots and air crew during the Second World War has been marked in a poignant service at Westminster Cathedral.

Watched by descendants of the WW2 Polish fighters, Cllr Robert Rigby, Westminster City Council's deputy Lord Mayor, laid a wreath at the Polish Air Force Memorial at the Cathedral's Lady Chapel and the Polish Armed Forces Memorial in the Chapel of St. George and the English Martyrs.

Organised by The Polish Airmen's Association UK, this yearly ceremony commemorates the bravery of Polish pilots and crew who fled to Britain at the outset of war as the Nazis overran Poland. In the coming months, Polish pilots played a key role in the Battle of Britain and the men and women who made up the Polish Air Force served with distinction.

Speaking after a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral held for the Polish veterans, Cllr Rigby, who is Catholic, said: "Polish pilots have earned their place in military history and we owe them a vote of thanks for their contribution at the Battle of Britain and other engagements.

"They truly were among "the few" who helped defend our skies in 1940 and it was inspiring to talk to their descendants and families at the wreath laying ceremony. It is absolutely fitting that here in the heart of Westminster we have a permanent memorial to their bravery."