A New Zealand-born Royal Air Force commander who played a key role in the Battle of Britain has today been honoured with a statue in his hometown of Thames.
Sir Keith Park was credited with helping develop the winning strategy for the decisive air battle that helped secure England an early victory over Germany in the summer of 1940.
Sir Keith commanded No. 11 Group, which was responsible for defending South East England and London. His leadership was said to be instrumental in defeating Germany by air, preventing a land invasion of Britain.
He was later knighted for his efforts.
Sir Keith died in 1975 at the age of 82.
Now, a 2.3m bronze statue of the war hero’s been revealed at Thames Airfield on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the battle, in which 79 New Zealand airmen lost their lives.
“Somebody said to me years ago, ‘He’s our most famous Kiwi but the least known’,” his relative Lesley Park told 1News.
“So yeah, he’s pretty proud. Very proud.”
Organiser Geoff Furket said the statue depicts Sir Keith in his flying uniform – mounted under one of his Hurricane fighters – as he waits for a pilot to return from a sortie.
“This is very important to reinvigorate his legacy and for people to understand that New Zealanders could be in quite a different situation if we hadn’t won the Battle of Britain,” he said.
The UK’s defence adviser to New Zealand, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Dines, said a painting of the ‘Defender of London’ was hanging up in the Royal Air Force Club.
“I think it’s important that the significant role that he played in the Second World War continues to be marked today,” he said.
A bronze statue of the air chief marshal was unveiled in London in 2009.
