Residents remember major WW2 campaign

HALIFAX – A small crowd gathered alongside military veterans and local officials to remember a major campaign during World War Two.

On Sunday, the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was celebrated with a ceremony at Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth.

The battle was the first major campaign to be fought from the air and is said, by some, to be the greatest air battle of the 20th century.

The ceremony included a playing of The Last Post, two minutes of silence, a fly-past by a Sea King helicopter, a recording of a speech by Winston Churchill and a singing of Amazing Grace.

Don McLeod, the master of ceremonies, said it was critical for residents to remember the battle nearly 75 years after the fact.

“I guess the trite expression would be if we don’t study history, we’re doomed to repeat it,” said Master of Ceremonies Don McLeod.

“I think it keeps the world no only aware of the fact that there is the possibility it could happen again but also, more importantly, it is to recognize those who fought and those who died in that Battle of Britain.”

The ceremony was also marked by a laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.