AN UNCLE and nephew spanning from three generations were reunited at a special Battle of Britain event.

Senior Aircraftman James Croker, 26, of Blenheim Crescent, Ruislip, currently serves at RAF Northolt in West End Road, Ruislip, more than 65 years after his great-uncle Squadron Leader Joce Millard,88, from Letchworth Garden City, served at the same base when he took part in the Battle of Britain.

Great uncle and nephew were reunited at a ceremony and banquet, at RAF Northolt which was also attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, on Thursday, September 15.

James told the Times: "I always knew my great-uncle had fought in the Battle of Britain because my gran had told me so. She told me to look out for him on Thursday night as she knew he would be there.

"It was really nice to see him again and it was a great evening for all of them. My grandad was also a pilot in the Second World War which is why I joined the RAF."

The Battle of Britain, now ranked as one of the key decisive battles in British history was fought over London and the south east of England between June and October 1940.

On September 15, 1940, the Nazi war machine sent their most intensive waves of fighters and bomber aircraft over the channel to invade Britain and finish off the RAF once and for all.

On Thursday, September 15, exactly 65 years on, some of those who fought in the battle and survived, known as "The Few", came to RAF Northolt from aS far afield as New Zealand, United States and Australia and all over Europe and UK to recall their memories.

The Central Band and the Queen's Colour Squadron from nearby RAF Uxbridge performed a commemorative ceremony to "The Few" including a flypast of a Spitfire, Hurricane and modern-day Eurofighter Typhoon to symbolise that today's RAF still salutes the latter day RAF for what they did in that crucial Battle when the whole of Western Civilisation was under threat from invasion.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh said: "After 65 years, it is difficult to imagine the seriousness of the crisis facing this country during the Battle of Britain. The odds were not in our favour and success was due to the extraordinary courage, endurance and tenacity of the men who fought in the skies for our freedom all those years ago."

One onlooker said: "The rain stopped for the ceremony and the sky lit up almost magically just as the Spitfire and Hurricane flypast took place. We think The Fallen Few had the last word."