Battle of Britain remembered by man who saw it in the skies

The Battle of Britain was one of the key flashpoints on the Western Front of World War Two, in which allied and axis planes battled above the south of England.

Although the overall campaign took place over almost four months, September 15 is 'Battle of Britain Day', marking the date when RAF Fighter Command claimed what proved to be a decisive victory over the German Luftwaffe.

The fight took place 83 years ago today.

A recent photograph of Don (Image: Newsquest)

Don Warner Silvester of Horwich was one of those present on the day.

He had been evacuated from his parents' home in London and was living in Middlesex at the time of the battle.

He wanted to pay homage to the men who risked their lives protecting their country on that day.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Don said: "When the Battle of Britain happened, I was five, living in a house in Middlesex.

"This particular morning, there was this enormous humming noise, a throbbing in the sky, so I went out through the back door.

"I lived with a man and his wife, he was a firefighter, he had just received some message to tear off. As he went off, I saw what looked like a big flock of birds - it was 450 planes, German planes, coming over.

Don as an eight-year-old, having been evacuated to Bolton (Image: Newsquest)

"They were flying up, tiered back. It got louder and louder, and instead of looking up, I sat down and the firefighter sat down."

He continued: "Then more planes arrived, they were much higher up and looked smaller - these were Spitfires and Hurricanes, British planes.

"The Spitfires and Hurricanes took on the Messerschmitts, then as soon as they drew those away, they started shooting the bombers down.

"Three battles took place on the day, one in the morning, one in the early afternoon and one in the evening - and we won them all. We were watching parachutes come down, ours and theirs.

"They were dropping bombs anywhere. It was very interesting, but we had to go inside because of all the flak coming down!"

An inscription on the photo, reading: Don W. Silvester, aged eight. Photographed in 1943. (Image: Newsquest)

Don, now aged 88, has lived most of his life in Bolton.

He has owned many businesses in the town across a range of industries, having sold everything from duvets to houses. He currently runs Wicked Cosmetics, a wholesaler of makeup, creams and other beauty products.

He continued: "I always think about these boys who went up there 83 years ago. I don't think the younger generation realise what it was that went on.

"More is made about sport, football and cricket, that sort of thing. If it weren't for them, this country would now be a part of Germany, we would all be speaking Deutsch.

"All of those guys were heroes. I think of the Winston Churchill quote, 'never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few' - he was so right."