Wales and Battle of Britain exhibition is coming to Barry

Glamorgan Star news 20/07/2022

1 minute read

The Battle of Britain was a pivotal and iconic moment in the history of this country. Photo: ©Christine Matthews

Wales and Battle of Britain exhibition is coming to Barry:

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Civic Offices will play host to the Battle of Britain touring exhibition at the end of this month.

The Battle of Britain took place over the skies of the UK between 10th July and 31st October 1940 and involved 2,947 Aircrew including Pilots, Observers, Air Gunners and Wireless Operators. 544 were killed in action and aircrafts involved included the iconic Spitfire, Hurricane, Blenheim, Beaufighter, Defiant and Gladiator.

Visitors will hear about the significance of Welsh bases that trained trained Spitfire pilots during WWII. It also tells of Welsh aircrew that fought and 17 Welsh pilots who were killed during the battle.

The exhibition has been created by the RAF’s Air Historical Branch with Air Commodore Adrian Williams and his team to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

It will be on display at the Civic Offices in Barry from 25th-29th July. It is open every day from 9.00am until 4.00pm. A special opening event will take place from 2.00pm on 25th July.

Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health and Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Eddie Williams said: “The Battle of Britain was the largest recorded air battle. It was one of the most pivotal and iconic moments in the history of this country, marking a turning point of the Second World War.

The exhibition tells a story that will enable Welsh people of all ages to discover more about what happened in the skies and on the ground during wartime. It tells the stories of the heroic Welsh aircrew who fought.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to pay their respects to the ‘Welsh Fallen,’ as well as to celebrate the many different ways the Welsh people and their communities’ contributed to the War effort during the Battle of Britain.

“We are honoured to be hosting this exhibition and look forward to welcoming the public.”