A BLUE plaque unveiling honoured two wartime hero brothers in front of a big crowd on Monday.
Scores gathered for the ceremony which was dedicated to brothers John and Sir Hugh Dundas, who grew up at Dale House in Cawthorne.
The plaques were fitted to the boundary wall of Dale House, with Sir Hugh’s grandson David Dundas and Reverend Canon Keith Farrow presiding over the unveil.
The brothers became established pilots for the RAF in World War Two, with John being shot down in service at 25 years old.
Sir Hugh survived the war, retiring from the RAF in 1947 and retaining his rank of Group Captain.
He later went on to become the director of Thames Television, eventually receiving a knighthood in 1987.
The event was organised to align with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Attendees included members of the public, the Dundas family, the RAF and 67 young pupils from Cawthorne Primary School, who have been learning about World War Two.
Descendants of the Dundas family travelled to Cawthorne from London to be a part of the momentous event.
Lucy Dundas, Sir Hugh’s granddaughter, said: “It’s so special - I only knew him until I was about nine or ten.
“They were incredible young men, they were very young, very brave and put into very trying situations.
“We’ve known about Dale House and about Cawthorne, so to be able to come and see it and remember them in this way is really amazing.
“We feel incredibly proud and we’re very grateful to Cawthorne village for doing this.
“I attended with my brother and my mother and loads of Hughie’s nephews were all there.
“It was a long journey but we were so pleased to be invited - we all made the trip and wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Jenny Dundas, Sir Hugh’s daughter, added: “I find the effort that has gone into all of this completely humbling.
“It’s an incredible tribute to Hugh, John and the family.
“We were thrilled to bits to be there and to remember them.
“I think it’s an incredibly important thing to remember.
“This is a real, tangible thing that people can look at and admire and understand.
“From that, maybe people will go to read more about what they did.”
Derek Housley, who co-organised the project alongside Sharon Pitt, said: “Thanks to all who attended including members of the RAF, the Dundas family and villagers and everyone at Cawthorne Village Hall.
“This whole thing was only possible with the support of the Penistone Ward Alliance, Cawthorne Parish Council and the village’s museum.”
