People across the Commonwealth will this weekend commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the famous Battle of Britain, a great wartime victory which involved a number of Tasmanian pilots.
The Battle of Britain was a conflict of World War Two when the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom against the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
It was considered a major turning point in World War Two with the RAF having a victory over the Luftwaffe and inflicting the first defeat over Hitler's military forces.
Australia had 21 pilots involved in the Battle, 14 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. One was a Tasmanian, 23-year-old Flight Commander Stuart Walch.
Flight Commander Walch served with the 238 Squadron and was shot down off the coast of England on 11 August 1940.
Prior to his death, Flight Commander Walch led several successful raids against the Luftwaffe.
Flight Commander Walch's body was never recovered. He is the only Tasmanian who is listed on the Battle of Britain Honour Roll in Westminster Abbey.
The Battle of Britain lasted almost three months as the Germans carried out relentless bombing of British cities and airfields.
Today's commemoration also marks the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who lived through the Battle of Britain and worked as a trainee ambulance driver and mechanic, and who was a staunch supporter of the annual commemoration services.
