SOUTHEND’S Royal Air Force Association has paid a moving 70th anniversary tribute to a man believed to be the first casualty of the Battle of Britain.

Ian Clenshaw was in his early twenties, when he left his home in Shaftesbury Avenue, Southend, to train as a sergeant pilot.

Tragically, on July 10, 1940, he was on his way to join his squadron in the famous battle when a freak storm caused his plane to crash and he was killed.

Within days, the battle was in full swing above Essex and the rest of south-east England.

Today, his former home has a plaque on the front wall remembering the young pilot.

It was there the service was held, conducted by the Rev Phil Roberts, from St Alban’s Church, Westcliff. Heads were bowed and an RAF standard lowered as prayers were said in memory of the pilot, born in 1918.

Association member Andrew Colvin, said: “We believe Ian may well have been the first casualty of the Battle of Britain.

“We did something similar ten years ago for the 60th anniversary of his death. On that occasion his brother came over from Canada.”

Association members believe a plaque was first put in place in 1945, when the war ended.

Today, retired Cyndy Strange, 62, lives in the house.

She said: “I have known Andrew Colvin in the association for some time and we arranged the service, which I thought was wonderful and very moving.

“It is the only way we can remember what we owe Ian and all the other pilots in the Battle of Britain.”