Hounslow Council will celebrate Middlesex Day by flying the county’s historic flag. Tomorrow, Sunday 16 May is the annual celebration of the triumph of an 1811 battle when the West Middlesex Regiment overcame French troops who were attempting to advance into Portugal during the Peninsula War. Middlesex Day was created to commemorate that trumph and celebrate the historic county, in which Brentford sits.Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “While the Covid-19 pandemic has stopped a physical gathering to celebrate this important part of our history and heritage, in the spirit of the defiance shown by the West Middlesex regiment against invading troops, we too shall persevere and fly the flag for Middlesex Day. These annual rituals keep our history alive, and there’s a sense of solidarity that comes from marking this with others who live within the boundaries of the historic Middlesex County.”Middlesex Day recalls the history of the county of Middlesex, a county which incorporated central London, and large parts of North West London, including areas like Hounslow, including Brentford. Although the Middlesex County Council was formally abolished by the London Government Act in 1963, the history of ‘Middle Saxon’ stretches back to 704 when it was first recorded in a Saxon Charter and many people continue to identify with the county and flag today. The distinctive design of the county flag contains a gold crown and three short-notched seaxes on a red background.Councillor Bishnu Gurung, the new Mayor of Hounslow, said: “It’s a great honour to mark Middlesex Day as one of my first duties as the Mayor of Hounslow and we are flying the Middlesex flag with pride.”