Media

Press Release

4th November 2009: Unveiling of Statue of Sir Keith Park on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London

2nd November 2009: Trafalgar Square, Fourth Plinth Unveiling Update

14th October 2009: Fourth Plinth Announcement: Statue of Sir Keith Park

30th April 2009: Sir Keith Park Memorial Statue Campaign Flies Message Around UK

15th February 2009: Latest coverage in New Zealand media

19th January 2009: Application for Sir Keith Park Statue to go to Westminster City Council

30th October 2008: Model for Sir Keith Park Statue Unveiled at City Hall

13 September 2008: Campaign rallies support for permanent memorial at RAF's 'Battle of Britain'

3 June 2008: Campaign Welcomes London Mayor's Proposal for Temporary Installation of Sir Keith Park Statue on 4th Plinth

13 May 2008: New Zealand Cricketers go into Bat for Sir Keith Park Statue Campaign

29 April 2008: Battle of Britain fly-in to boost Sir Keith Park Statue Campaign

April 2008 Biggin Hill Fly-In; Biographies of Pilots and Histories of Aircraft

18 April 2008: Model of Battle of Britain hero’s statue unveiled – fourth plinth campaign builds momentum

7 March 2008: Campaign launched for Battle of Britain hero’s statue in Trafalgar Square

EARLY DAY MOTION - EDM 490 Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign

Sponsor: Mark Field MP

Co-Sponsors: Peter Bottomley MP Mark Francois MP Colin Breed MP Lembit Opik MP Dr. Vincent Cable MP Rt Hon. Gavin Strang MP Brian Donohoe MP Betty Willams MP Nigel Evans MP

That this House commends the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign on the continuing success of its aims to erect a statue of Battle of Britain hero, New Zealander Sir Keith Park, temporarily on the Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square in 2009 and permanently in Waterloo Place in 2010; notes that since March 2008, the Campaign has received the support of 64 Members of Parliament, Battle of Britain veterans, members of the Park family, members of the other place (Lords), senior RAF officers, the leaders of all major political parties in New Zealand and the Mayor of London and many thousands of public supporters in the UK, New Zealand, the Commonwealth and around the world; further states that achievement of the Campaign’s aims would constitute a long-overdue and fitting memorial to a great man whose leadership in large part ensured our victory in the Battle of Britain and notes the significance of 2010 as the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and one of the few remaining commemorations at which surviving veterans of the Battle of Britain will be able to attend.

Sir Keith Park Medals and Awards

Sir Keith Park was awarded various honours and awards throughout his life...

 

Military Cross

"2nd Lt. Keith Rodney Park, R.F.A. and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an engagement with several large hostile formations, the two machines with which he was patrolling were put out of action. In spite, however, of being left alone, he continued to attack, and engaged the enemy machines in so determined a manner that he and his observer between them destroyed one and drove three others down completely out of control. He has performed several other fine feats, and has at all times set a most inspiring example by his dash and tenacity." Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918 (30466/634)

Military Cross Bar

"2nd Lt. Keith Rodney Park, M.C., R.F.A. and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in accounting for nine enemy aircraft, three of which were completely destroyed and six driven down out of control." Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 March 1918 (30583/3418)

Bibliography

Park, The Biography of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, GCB, KBE, MC, DFC, DCL; Vincent Orange (1975- ), Methuen 1984, Grubb Street 2001 Fighter, Len Deighton

1940 The Story of No 11 Group, Fighter Command, Peter Cooksley

Battlefield Britain, Peter and Dan Snow

The Battle of Britain New Perspectives, John Ray

The Battle of Britain, Richard Townshend Bickers

Most Dangerous Enemy, A History of the Battle of Britain' by Stephen Bungay