Memorial tribute for WWII pilot

The ashes of Roland Robert Stanford-Tuck are buried at the church

A church service has been held in Kent to remember a World War II pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain.

A plaque was also unveiled at the Parish Church of Saint Clement, in Sandwich, in memory of Wing Commander Roland Robert Stanford-Tuck.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his service in the Royal Air Force and settled in Sandwich after retiring. He died, aged 70, in 1987.

A flypast by a Spitfire and a Hurricane took place after the ceremony.

If it hadn't been for heroes like Bob Stanford-Tuck the course of history would have been very different indeed Revd Canon Mark Roberts

The service was attended by the 225 Squadron of the Air Training Corps, local branches of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), and members of Mr Stanford-Tuck's family.

RAF spokesman Steve Willmot said the memorial plaque was in honour of Mr Stanford-Tuck's "daring" efforts during the war.

"If we were to choose one fighter pilot from the Second World War who epitomised what the RAF did, it is Bob Stanford-Tuck," he said.

He joined the RAF in 1935, and after the war began, fought in all the great air battles over the Channel and France during the Battle of Britain.

Mushroom farmers

He was captured in January 1942 after he was shot down in his Spitfire while carrying out a low-level attack near Boulogne, but escaped after spending three years imprisoned at Stalag Luft III.

After the war ended he continued as a test pilot until 1953 when he and his wife Joyce, and their two sons moved to the Sandwich area where they became mushroom farmers.

Their ashes are buried at the church where the memorial was held on Saturday.

Reverend Canon Mark Roberts, who led the service, said: "If it hadn't been for heroes like Bob Stanford-Tuck the course of history would have been very different indeed.

"They were true heroes and we owe them a great debt of gratitude."