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The Remembrance Sunday programme featured a pilot sat in a Spitfire marked with Bahrain’s name.
In 1943, the nation came together to donate a fleet of Spitfires to support the British war effort during the Second World War.
Bahrain is considered one of the first Arab countries to stand by the United Kingdom in the Second World War.
The late ruler sent a telegram to King George declaring that Bahrain was sympathetic to the Allied cause.
The fighting machines inscribed with ‘Bahrain’ in both English and Arabic, were given to the Royal Air Force (RAF) by the Hakim (Ruler) of Bahrain at the time, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
In the telegram, Shaikh Hamad also pledged that Bahrain would do everything it could to support the British war effort.
The Spitfire was renowned for its superb speed and excellent manoeuvrability, which made it one of the top fighters in Britain’s Royal Air Force.
The first Bahrain-funded Spitfire was flown by Airman Francis Scott-Malden, a member of the 603 Squadron.
An additional six aircraft were purchased using funds raised in Bahrain. The planes bought by Bahrain were of the ‘Mark 5’ Supermarine Spitfires, built-in 1941.
These planes participated in several important Second World War battles, and are said to have helped the British win crucial battles in the skies on several fronts.
To collect the funds, a tent was pitched in Al Bakhsheh Park, Bahrain’s first ever public park in Manama, and up to £50,000 was raised for the cause.
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