Thousands of military personnel and civilians who served, worked at and supported the 12 New Forest airfields in the dark days of World War Two were remembered at the annual memorial service.

Officers from the US Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Australian Army joined representatives from the Royal Air Force, local service organisations, veterans, cadets, and civic leaders, to pay tribute, particularly to those who sacrificed their lives.

The service at Holmsley was organised by the Friends of New Forest Airfields Association, the Bransgore-based charity dedicated to keeping the memory of the 12 airfields alive.

The airfields (Christchurch, Hurn, Holmsley, Sway, Lymington, Stoney Cross, Sopley, Winkton, Beaulieu, Calshot, Needs Oar Point and Bisterne) were home to fighters, bombers, and coastal command aircraft and their crews from the RAF and allies including the US, Canada, Poland and the Free Czech Air Force.

The airfields played critical role in the success of D Day in June 1944.

RAF Warrant Officer Katie Mason told the service that the memorial and the service “gives us all a chance to reflect on the extraordinary events and people those many years ago and to show we still remember them.”

She added: "We stand on the ground that nearly 80 years ago felt the weight of Mosquitos, Spitfires, Mustangs, Marauders to name just a few."

The service was conducted by Padre Charles Lewis and the opening welcome made by FONFA trustee, Sam Ruddy of Ashley, New Milton who said afterwards: "My mother and father would not have been able to come to this country if the allies had not won the war and I would not be here today."

Mr Ruddy's mother was the daughter of a British soldier and his Anglo Indian wife and his seaman father from Zanzibar arrived in London in the late 40s. They met in Southampton in the late 50s.

FONFA also runs a heritage centre in Mosquito Way, Bransgore, operated entirely by volunteers.

The striking memorial constructed in 1997 at the Holmsley site is in need of restoration to be completed in time for the 80th anniversary of D Day next year.

RAF Holmsley South, at the forefront of the local effort was carved out of the open forest and requisitioned farmland near Bransgore and hastily pressed into service at the end of 1942.

For more about how to help with the restoration or about FONFA, email fonfa2010@gmail.com