Veteran marks 80th anniversary of World War Two pilot's death over Portsmouth

Instead of the sea of people in Guildhall Square, applauding scores of veterans, people will be watching virtual services on their phones.

The coronavirus lockdown and restrictions that came with it have scuppered our traditional way of remembering the fallen – but there are still things we can do.

At the top of Portsdown Hill, opposite Mick's Monster Burgers, stands a memorial that for many years has gone unnoticed.

H H Adair – affectionately known as Paddy – died when his Hurricane fighter aircraft was shot down by German forces on November 6, 1940.

Research after his death showed that his plane crashed in Widley, and it was excavated in October 1979.

On Friday, former Royal Navy serviceman Robert Jones, 73, laid a Remembrance cross at the site of his memorial, and is urging others to do something similar to remember the fallen.

He said: ‘It’s an incredible ask of a 23-year-old, to order him to take to the skies and fight for his country, and his life.

‘But back then, these amazing men did it without question, sacrificing their lives for our future.

‘These were ordinary people who went above and beyond what could ever be expected of them.’

Every six months, Robert and his wife Carol, 77, go to the memorial and clear away overgrown shrubbery.

The ex-Warrant Officer is hopeful that more people will visit the site, and learn about the individual stories of men who served in both world wars.

He said: ‘To protect your country in the way they did is simply incredible.

‘Looking back, there were so many youngsters who were killed, and behind each name is a story to be told.

‘With the coronavirus pandemic there aren't many Remembrance services happening, but it’s important to remember these people regardless.’

Remembrance Sunday is on November 8 this year, followed by Armistice Day on Wednesday, November 11.

But plans to commemorate the dates have scaled back, with many services now being streamed virtually instead.

People are urged to mark a two-minute silence from their homes as part of the campaign.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.