The crowd stood silently as military members past and present marched into the park around Sullivan's Pond in Dartmouth on Sunday to commemorate the Battle of Britain.

In 1940, the lengthy Second World War air battle would be pivotal for the Royal Air Force. The Nazis suffered heavy losses at the hands of Canadian and British pilots.

"I don't think I've missed this ceremony in well over a decade. It's important to remember the sacrifice of those who provided the kind of country that we value today," said Halifax mayor, Mike Savage.

The 76th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was commemorated in Dartmouth Sunday. (Steve Berry/CBC)

The air force's control of the air above London led to a decisive victory over the Germans. Twenty of the 94 Canadian pilots involved were killed.

During the ceremony, wreaths were handed out to veterans and The Last Post rang out over the heads of more than a hundred air cadets and soldiers.

"When you see young people coming here and learning about events like the Battle of Britain, it really is important to families to keep that tradition going in Nova Scotia," said Dartmouth-North MLA, Joanne Bernard.