Unveiling of Statue of NZ Battle of Britain Comman

14 September 2010

News release

Under embargo until 00:01hrs BST (11:01am NZT), Wednesday 15 September 2010

Unveiling of Statue of NZ Battle of Britain Commander

BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY 70th ANNIVERSARY EVENT

UNVEILING OF A STATUE OF NEW ZEALAND BATTLE OF BRITAIN COMMANDER AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR KEITH PARK

IN WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON SW1 TODAY FROM 14:40hrs BST (01:40hrs NZT, Thursday 16 September 2010)

The unveiling is the only major London public event taking place on Battle of Britain Day

Unveiling ceremony to commence with a Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast comprising of a Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Event marks the culmination of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign (SKPMC) which was launched to raise public awareness and achieve appropriate recognition of the vital role Park played in the defence of London during the Battle of Britain

The speaking and unveiling party includes:-

Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and Chief Executive of Tullett Prebon

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff

The Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence for New Zealand

Wing Commander Robert (Bob) Foster, representing the Battle of Britain veterans

Ms Leigh Park, representing Sir Keith Park's family

Supported by The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Royal Air Force Regiment Fanfare Trumpeters and a Guard of Honour from the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force

Unveiling will also commemorate the 2940* aircrew from 14 countries who fought to defend Britain in 1940

Statue commissioned by the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and designed by Les Johnson

A bronze statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, commander of No. 11 Group, Fighter Command, responsible for the protection of London and the South East of England throughout the Battle of Britain, will today be unveiled in Waterloo Place, London, at a ceremony commencing at 15:00hrs BST (02:00am NZT, Thursday 16 September).

The statue has been presented by the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign.

This follows the temporary display of a statue of the same design on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square for six months from 4 November 2009, and marks the culmination of a campaign set in motion three years ago, on Battle of Britain Day 2007.

The unveiling will be attended by some 1000 invited guests, including Battle of Britain veterans and members of Sir Keith Park's family. Also in attendance will be The Right Honourable Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence, The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, representatives of the Commonwealth and other countries whose airmen flew alongside the RAF during the Battle, as well as other supporters of the SKPMC.

The ceremony will commence with a flypast from the RAF consisting of a Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Addresses will be made by Terry Smith, Chairman of the SKPMC and Chief Executive of Tullett Prebon, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff and the Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence for New Zealand.

Sir Keith Park commanded No. 11 Group, Fighter Command - responsible for the defence of London and South East England. He therefore commanded the squadrons which bore the brunt of the fighting in the Battle of Britain. The failure of Nazi Germany to defeat the RAF in 1940 is seen as Hitler's first major setback in the Second World War - and forced Germany to call off the planned invasion of Britain.

Park was a New Zealander, who fought in the First World War in the field artillery first at Gallipoli, and then the Somme where he was wounded and evacuated to England. Medically graded unfit to continue service with the artillery, Park joined the Royal Flying Corps, remaining with the air arm when it was re-formed as the Royal Air Force.

This statue is a fitting memorial to Park as it will be erected in the heart of the capital city that he did so much to defend, within view of New Zealand House.

Marshal of the RAF, Lord Tedder, said of Park: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don't believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."

The statue of Sir Keith Park also commemorates the c.2940* pilots from 14 countries who fought to defend Britain in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Today, there are just over 80 survivors. The nationality breakdown of the pilots that fought in the Battle of Britain is as follows

Australia 33 Belgium 29

Canada 98 Czechoslovakia 88

France 13 Ireland 10

Jamaica 1 Newfoundland 1

New Zealand 126 Poland 145

Rhodesia 3 South Africa 25

United Kingdom 2353 United States 11

* As stated by The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust

Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, said:

"It has taken us 70 years since the Battle of Britain to give expression to our collective thanks for what Keith Park achieved. I believe we have now found a fitting way to remember him, with this statue permanently and prominently placed in the heart of the capital city of the country he did so much to defend in 1940."

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, commented:

"This statue is a fitting permanent memorial, in our capital city, to a man without whom the history of the Battle of Britain could have been so disastrously different. In the presence of some of our distinguished veterans, all of whom fought so bravely in that critical battle for Britain's survival, today's Royal Air Force honours and salutes Sir Keith Park, and celebrates our continuing close friendship with New Zealand, whose airmen continue to fly with us on operations today' "

The Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence for New Zealand, said:

"Today is a proud moment for New Zealand. Sir Keith Park, one of us, played a vital role in winning the Battle of Britain. The unveiling of Sir Keith Park's statue reminds us today of the events 70 years ago when our nations stood in peril. In this battle freedom and democracy were at the precipice. The valour of the pilots of both our nations, and of other countries, won the day. Seventy years later we are the beneficiaries of their courage and steadfastness to duty.

"This statue commemorates Sir Keith's personal courage and leadership, and gives full recognition to his achievements and those of the men and women who fought with him. It is also an important reminder of the depth and closeness of the defence and security relationship between New Zealand and the United Kingdom - a relationship that stretches back beyond two world wars, and continues to the present day."

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said:

"Sir Keith Park's courage, commitment and leadership are qualities to be admired at any time, but it is his key role in a historic turning point in the war that London will never forget. I can think of no better occasion to see this memorial unveiled than during the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain."

Planning permission for the permanent statue of Sir Keith Park was granted by Westminster City Council in May 2009.

- ENDS -

15th September - unveiling ceremony schedule

14:40 Dais party arrives

14:50 The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Royal Air Force Regiment Fanfare Trumpeters and a Guard of Honour from the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force march on to Waterloo Place

15:00 Formal unveiling ceremony commences with flypast of a Spitfire and Hurricane (weather permitting) of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Welcome address by Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and Chief Executive of Tullett Prebon

Statue to be unveiled by Wing Commander Robert (Bob) Foster, representing the Battle of Britain Veterans, and Ms Leigh Park, representing Sir Keith Park's family

Prayers and blessing led by The Venerable Air Vice-Marshal Ray Pentland, Chaplain-in-Chief RAF

Address by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff

Address by The Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence for New Zealand

15:25 New Zealand and British National Anthems

15:35 Photo call in front of statue with the following people (no interviews):-

WWII RAF veterans

Terry Smith, Chairman of the SKPMC and Chief Executive of Tullett Prebon

The Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence for New Zealand

The Right Honourable Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff

Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, Chief of Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force

ends

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