MEMORIES of the Battle of Britain were recalled at Ampleforth College last Friday when former pilots were honoured, thanks to the initiative of an 18- year-old student.

The moving ceremony of the unveiling of a specially-commissioned plaque was crowned with an impressive flypast by a Spitfire and a Tornado over the veterans and hundreds of students watching in the shadow of Ampleforth Abbey from where the RAF ensign was being flown.

Eight former students, who were all pilots in the Second World War battle, were honoured on a plaque, which was unveiled by Father Gabriel Everitt, the college headteacher, and 93-year-old Lindsay Walter, an Old Amplefordian.

The plaque was blessed by the Abbot, Father Cuthbert Madden and Holly Wilson, 18, Flight Sergeant and the senior NCO in the RAF section of the college Combined Cadet Force.

Holly was recently awarded a gliding scholarship to RAF Linton-on-Ouse after completing a course during which she was approached by Sqdn Leader Simon Johnston about his connection with Ampleforth College.

His company, Airfield Aviation, is currently building the Jucra Spitfire, based on the Mk 1 Spitfire X-4683, flown by Flt Lieut Tony Lovell, a former college student.

Holly’s investigations gathered pace and she discovered that Flt Lieut Lovell had been a Battle of Britain pilot.

From there she contacted the Battle’s Historical Society with the result that the plaque – which she designed – was put up in one of the college’s main halls Family members of the pilots attended the ceremony, along with current officers commanding 56 and 41 squadrons of the RAF.

The final part of the ceremony brought great delight to Holly when she saw her efforts to have a flypast rewarded.

“It was a wonderful experience and a great honour to have commemorated those brave pilots,” said Holly, who leaves Ampleforth at the end of the term to go to university.

Sqdn Ldr Johnston added to the occasion by flying a Hawker Fury over the college and abbey.

Among the war veterans who watched the ceremony was Father Geoffrey Lynch, 82, who, after serving in the RAF during the war as flight controller, Benedictine Order, and was Prior at St Bede’s York, for seven years, later continuing his ministry at Gilling and Easingwold.

Father Lynch, who was secretary to four Abbots of Ampleforth, still helps in the monastic library despite being confined to a wheelchair as a result of a road accident three years ago, in which he lost a leg.