2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The year should be a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of one of Britain’s most beloved institutions – chief amongst which was its noble defence of this country against the forces of Adolf Hitler.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke for the nation when he said that “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. They are even fewer today – of the almost 3,000 aircrew who helped repel the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, only eight are still with us. Their bravery will be remembered for as long as Britain exists.

But every year we see ever more politicians, celebrities, and civil servants handed honours while those who have won the gratitude of the entire nation through valour and sacrifice go ignored.

We call on the honours selection committee to recognise the courageous men who served our nation in its darkest hour and ensured its continued survival. Knighthoods should be awarded to Flight Lieutenant William Terence Clark, Wing Commander John Francis Durham Elkington, Wing Commander Paul Caswell Farnes, Squadron Leader J. S. Hart, Flight Lieutenant William Robert Kent Hughes, Flight Lieutenant Maurice Hewlett Mounsdon, Wing Commander Thomas Francis Neil and Squadron Leader Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum.

It’s time for Britain to honour its true heroes and award knighthoods to our last surviving Battle of Britain veterans. There cannot be anybody more deserving.