A Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight overflies RAF Bentley Priory. © Crown Copyright 2007

The RAF Ensign has been lowered for the last time at RAF Bentley Priory, the spiritual home of the Battle of Britain.

A ‘sunset ceremony’ and formal dinner marked the official closure of the air base on July 19 2007, with Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy and Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support in attendance joined by veteran World War II aircrews.

RAF Bentley Priory, near Stanmore in the London borough of Harrow, was headquarters of Fighter Command during the Second World War and played a critical role in saving Britain during the conflict.

Guests attending the RAF Bentley Priory Gala Dinner. © Crown Copyright 2007

“Bentley Priory is the epitome of the command of the Battle of Britain,” said Squadron Leader Tony ‘Pick’ Pickering, 86, a fighter pilot who was shot down over Caterham during the Battle and was one of the guests at the closing ceremony.

“If the Battle of Trafalgar saved Great Britain, the Battle of Britain saved the world. It was the decisive battle of the Second World War, which enabled Britain to dig in for the long haul and defeat the powers of fascism.”

The Battle of Britain raged over the country’s skies between July and October 1940 as Hitler attempted to use the Luftwaffe to eliminate the RAF prior to a planned seaborne invasion, but was thwarted by the determination and bravery of the pilots and aircrews of Fighter Command.

Taking the Salute - ACM Sir Glenn Torpy (centre) with Air Cdre Pete Brothers (right). © Crown Copyright 2007

Bentley Priory will close for good in spring 2008 following the relocation of all units from the site as part of the Ministry of Defence’s estate consolidation plan for central London, with several operations being combined at RAF Northolt.

Along with RAF Bentley Priory, RAF Uxbridge, RAF Eastcote, RAF West Ruislip, Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill, and Victoria House in Woolwich will also be closed.

The MoD is working with the RAF Museum, Battle of Britain Bentley Priory Trust and the Local Planning Authority to preserve the heritage elements of the site. Large parts of the base already have statutory protection – the Priory building itself is Grade II* listed and its grounds are designated as Historic Parkland.

A three-ship formation of Typhoons. © Crown Copyright 2007

“There is obvious sadness that the RAF’s operational use of Bentley Priory is coming to an end,” said Air Chief Marshal Torpy.

“It was identified well before the outbreak of World War II as an ideal location for the headquarters of Fighter Command by Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. “People can rest assured that we will be very careful that the heritage aspects will be preserved for future generations.”

“The Priory – and the people who worked there – served the country at a time of vital importance for our nation, and we continue to owe them a debt of gratitude,” added Sir Glenn.

Guests at the sunset ceremony saw Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft flying across the skies again, as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight passed overhead, who were joined by the RAF’s latest aircraft, the Typhoon Eurofighter.