THE bravery of those who died - and those who survived, while defending the country from the onslaught of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War was remembered at special Battle of Britain ceremonies.

In Christchurch, a parade was held through the town yesterday followed by a service at the Priory. The occasion also marked the 21st anniversary of the town's Royal Air Force Association branch.

Among those taking part in the parade from the Royal British Legion in Bargates were members of the Air Crew Association, ex-WRAF and youngsters from the Christchurch Air Training Corps, 171 Squadron.

The mayor, Cllr Sue Spittle took the salute on the return from the service.

The parade was accompanied by the Bournemouth Citadel Salvation Army Band and was led by the president of the RAFA branch, Wing Commander Peter Wood, RAF, Retd.

He said: "We were blessed with fine weather and applauded by people in the High Street, which was both moving and very gratifying."

The church service was conducted by the Reverend Hugh Williams.

All those who took part remembered the bravery of "The Few" who held out above the skies of Southern England in the late summer of 1940.

Meanwhile a Battle of Britain Remembrance Service took place at St James Parish Church in old town, Poole, and was attended by local dignitaries including mayor of Poole, Les Burden.

Representatives from the RAF Association also attended, alongside a number of people from the Air Cadets as well as war veterans and their friends and families.

Rev Bob Mason, who led the ceremony, said: "There's a temptation for this event to be a little bit overshadowed because this year we've had so many other commemorations.

"But this is one of the most important episodes of the Second World War because Winston Churchill said it turned the tide."

On Sunday another famous Second World War battle was recalled as veterans remembered comrades who fell at Arnhem in September 1944. Both the Hampshires and Dorsets took part in the ill-fated operation, immortalised the book, A Bridge Too Far.

First published: Sept 20