People gathered to remember a group of courageous men who fought in the sky to preserve the liberty of others.

A service was held to mark the actions of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s 610 (County of Chester) Squadron, who were based at RAF Gravesend Airport, off Thong Lane, during the Second World War in 1940.

The squadron were involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk where they sadly lost eight men as they fought bravely to repel the planes of the German Luftwaffe in May 1940.

‘The Chesters’, as they were known, were later based at Biggin Hill airport in Bromley and fought during the Battle of Britain.

Michael Lewis, of the 610 Squadron Association, said the pilots were not military men but people who trained during time off from work or at university.

He said: “They had absolutely no combat experience and when they ran into well trained and well equipped opposition defending the troops at Dunkirk they were given a baptism of fire.

“They did not go without a fight but it was not easy for them at all.”

At the site of RAF Gravesend, now Cascades leisure centre in Thong Lane, a plaque was unveiled in memory of those who died by Gravesham mayor Cllr Mick Wenban on Friday.

Cllr Wenban was joined by Gravesham MP Adam Holloway, who read the Act of Remembrance, and there was also a reading from Ecclesiastes by deputy lieutenant of Kent Rosemary Dymond.

Last Post was sounded and there was a moment’s silence to remember those who died.

Among those gathered were armed forces veterans, Air Cadets and serving armed forces personnel.

The mayor, who paid tribute to the pilots during the service, said it was important to remember all servicemen.

He said: “I thought it was a very moving service. I lost an uncle in 1943 who was on a Sunderland flying boat and never came back while serving over the Atlantic.”

The memorial was organised by Michael Lewis, with help from John Tate from the Gravesend Airport Heritage Project.

Mr Lewis invited relatives of the pilots from the 610 squadron to see the plaque being unveiled and share memories.

Sisters Susan Jones and Pamela Ward lost their uncle, Flying Officer Albert Medcalf, 26, during the assault on Dunkirk.

Mrs Jones said: “I still get upset by it. I want everyone to remember what they did.”

Mrs Ward said: “The service was really very moving, but I think it was also very appropriate.

“It’s good that after all this time there is a proper memorial. There is one in our village where Albert lived, but it’s good that it’s come back to the roots of the 610.”

Chris Kerr’s uncle, Flying Officer Gerald Kerr, 30, was another of the eight who lost their lives fighting over Dunkirk.

Mr Kirk, from Wiltshire, said: “I think it’s fantastically important for people of younger ages to know about Dunkirk.

“It happened 75 years ago, now; it’s like when my dad spoke about the Boer Warcorr. So for younger generations there is no reason why they should remember. But they should know there were these guys, whose job was going out risking their lives.”