This, the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of The Atlantic will culminate in Liverpool on the 27th May. The part Liverpool played in the BOTA is well documented, indeed it was the significant port for all atlantic operations during the whole war, Liverpool Bay, The Mersey, Western Approaches was in fact a ‘dockyard’ of H. M. aircraft carriers, H.M. ships of the line, merchant ships of all shapes and sizes, therefore it is right that the most significantly prestigious event should be the final one, that held in Liverpool.·

The weekend 24th-27th May is the third of three ( London & Belfast being the others) commemorating this momentous event of WW2. H.M.S. Ringtail played no part in that battle, indeed the ‘airfield’ was not operational until summer of 1943. However it did play a significant part in Western Approaches convoy protection from its operational commencement, whilst being a formation / carrier training establishment for future operations in the Far East in 1944 & 1945 in the fight against the Japanese.

Recognition of the importance of ‘The Ringtail’ operations is well documented both on this website and in the book ‘The Friendly Squadron’ Due recognition is accorded that the service of commemoration being conducted here on the morning of 25th May is down to the initiative of Commander G. Duffield RNVR( Air) who approached the society enquiring if such a ‘service’ woud be feasible or supported. We, the society wholeheartedly support this initiative. The patriotic fervour that enimates through this website is patently obvious, as such we are proud and privileged to be associated with such a prestigious occasion in Liverpool. The Air Station is obviously not as any ‘veteran’ who served here would remember, however it did exist whilst doing so with considerable success playing a notable part in WW2. The society is rightly proud of those achievements, the service it gave to this country whist remembering with enormous pride those who served and those who remain. The Royal Navy embraced servicemen from Commonwealth nations as did our other ’services’ The churchyard of St John the Baptist Burscough is the resting place of a number of ‘Navy Airmen’ who served to protect this Island, on this significant weekend 24th - 27th May as on every other day, they will never be forgotten.

H.M.S Ringtail / RNAS Burscough. R.N; RNVR; RNR.

We have set out to retain the existance of H M S Ringtail to ensure that the memory / history will never die. A simple definition accorded to many is enough.

‘Proud Heritage’

The society would like to acknowledge the contribution of Burscough Parish Council over the last nine years and not least in the support offered in this event.

Richard Houghton. May 2013.

·http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic.

Royal Naval Air Station Burscough 1943 – 1946.

The Former H.M.S Ringtail web site has now been incorporated into the new and larger capacity.

Lathom and Burscough Military Heritage Society website. H.M.S Ringtail details are located under the menu ‘Military Establishments’ above. To open up information place your cursor on the H.M.S Ringtail sub menu .

on the above site you will find a wealth of information / documents and photos

Thank You