Spitfire's fly-past for memorial

The Spitfire AB910 did a fly past as part of the memorial

The lives of 20 trainee Spitfire pilots buried at a cemetery in south Wales were honoured with a fly-past of one of World War II's most famous aircraft.

The men based at Llandow perished during training exercises in the 1940s.

Former pilots, servicemen and families gathered at Boverton in the Vale of Glamorgan in a service of remembrance.

Part of the tribute included a fly past of the frontline Spitfire AB910 which is now part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Howell Davies, 81, from the Welsh Spitfire Society explained why the service was arranged.

I thought the lads deserved one more mention because we are all about to fall off our perch Howell Davies

"For many years I've thought about these chaps here," he said looking across at graves of the men being remembered.

"In the war years the Spitfires used to come over and do their practice flights.

"I just had to find out about the aircraft and the pilots.

"It was important to remember these boys again. I remember what happened and the history and I thought the lads deserved one more mention because we are all about to fall off our perch," he laughed.

"It was marvellous to see the Spitfire fly over," he added.

One former spitfire pilot Group Captain Johnny Foster said seeing the aircraft fly over brought back many vivid memories.

"I remember flying over Norway and it took about four hours there and back and I remember praying the engine wouldn't stop," he said.

Johnny Foster and Arthur Phillips both flew Spitfires as young men

"We were escorting aircraft called Mosquitoes and were to attack German ships in the Norwegian fjords.

"It was all pretty hairy stuff and that has to be one of my long lasting memories.

"There were very heavy losses," he added.

Also watching was Arthur Phillips who also piloted spitfires as well as others from across Wales.

Wing Commander Andy Taylor, who is RAF St Athan's most senior commanding officer helped organise the memorial.

"It's important we keep the memories alive of the people who lost their lives in war," he said.

He added that when he had heard what the Welsh Spitfire Society wanted to do, he helped co-ordinate and arrange for the aircraft, flown by squadron leader Al Pinner.