Prime Minister Andrew Holness led a wreath-laying ceremony last Friday (September 15) to commemorate the Battle of Britain at the National Heroes Park in St Andrew.

The prime minister was joined by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF, his deputy Dr Horace Chang and Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, who each laid wreaths at the monument.

A ceremony for the Battle of Britain is observed by Jamaica each year to mark the great victory won by the Royal Air Force, which helped save Britain from Nazi invasion in 1940 during World War II.

Jamaica, which was a crown colony under British rule at the time of the global conflict, fielded combatants and money for the war effort on land.

The island has only one soldier, Herbert Capstick, listed as a Battle of Britain participant.

Capstick, a pilot officer, served in No. 236 Squadron RAF of Coastal Command—a squadron equipped with Bristol Blenheims and participated in anti-submarine operations in the English Channel.