Father and son honour The Few

Market Weighton-based RAF officer Flight Lieutenant Tim Bailey and his retired RAF Warrant Officer father Mike marked the occasion - one in York, the other in Afghanistan.

Flt Lt Bailey marked the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in southern Afghanistan where he is serving on operations, while father Mike joined fellow RAF veterans for a special service at York Minster.

Flt Lt Bailey, 32, joined colleagues to raise the RAF Ensign next to the Afghan national flag above the town of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province. Later, he continued the celebrations co-hosting a non-alcoholic cocktail party', which included Battle Of Britain tunes and readings of accounts of the battle.

Now serving on his second tour of duty in Helmand Province, Flt Lt Bailey is seconded to Task Force Helmand as a liaison officer for Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan). He is normally based at RAF Odiham as a planning and mission support officer at the headquarters of the Chinook helicopter force.

Meanwhile, his father Mike, 56, a retired RAF discipline Warrant Officer paraded with other veterans for the Battle of Britain service at York Minster.

Mike served in the RAF for 33 years in Germany, the Falkland Islands and Belize before finishing his career at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Flt Lt Bailey, who was a recruitment consultant before joining the RAF five years ago, has served in Qatar, Cyprus, France and the US. He said: "My father regularly organised Battle of Britain commemorative events in the past when he was stationed at RAF Linton on Ouse and he was really pleased to hear that we were celebrating the anniversary out here in Afghanistan.

"The anniversary of the Battle of Britain is a big occasion in the RAF's calendar. And as there aren't many RAF personnel based here at Lashkar Gah, we wanted to do something to mark the day."

Flt Lt Bailey is due to finish his four month tour in November when he plans to return home and "treat himself to a well-earned beer".