February 2026 Newsletter #22

• The passing of Project visionary Michel Kemp
• New Committee Member – Russell Skeet
• Sir Keith Park Medals at Thames Museum
• Two Children’s Books featuring Sir Keith Park

• Joanne’s new photo book
• Battle of Britain 2026
• Queen Mary – history
• Sir Keith Park locomotive story

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the visionary for the Sir Keith Park Memorial project, Michael Kemp, 13th January 2026. This was unexpected. Prue and I visited Michael and Christine about three weeks earlier, at which time we were concerned about the well-being of his wife, Christine. At the time of our visit, Michael appeared hail and hearty, so it was a great shock to hear of his death.

Not only were Michael and Christine the visionaries for the project, but they contributed substantially towards the cost of realising this goal, both personally and through their influence as leaders of various local and regional Lions Clubs.

The background of Michael’s life is included in the attached Classic Military Vehicle magazine article which features the Queen Mary downed aircraft recovery trailed which he restored.

We are delighted that Russell Skeet has agreed to join the Committee of our incorporated society. Russell is a local historian who plays a key role in keeping a number of historic organisations in Thames alive through his personal endeavours. Many thanks Russell.

The beautiful display of ACM Sir Keith Park’s medals, which was commissioned for the Thames Battle of Britain Commemorations (including the inauguration and unveiling of the Memorial in his honour) 14th September 2025, has been passed to the Thames Museum on loan

There was no display about Sir Keith at the Thames Museum until the Memorial project got underway. Many thanks to Carolyn McKenzie and her team for the wonderful support given to establishing this display.

This year will see the erection of three black granite tablets to complement the Memorial, on which will be recorded the names of the New Zealand Airmen recognised as being of Sir Winston Churchill’s “The Few”.

To the best of my knowledge, this will be the only such recognition of “The Few” anywhere in New Zealand (please correct me if I am incorrect!).

I am sure that many of you and your associates will have some close, or perhaps more distant connection, with the Battle of Britain and those who served in this pivotal campaign at the beginning of World War 2.

We are seeking donations to bring this important recognition project to fruition. Please show your support for the sacrifices “The Few” made to protect our future.

Work is progressing on the writing of two Children’s Books featuring Sir Keith. One targeting primary, the other, secondary school children. I am indebted to Michelle Mulholland (for the former) and Sally Muir (for the latter) for their efforts and enthusiasm to bring this to fruition.

Much research is in progress to establish the path of Sir Keith’s early education, which it seems, followed a significant steps and locations. A summary will be provided in a subsequent Newsletter when the picture crystallises.

Artist/Sculptor – Joanne Sullivan’s – coffee table picture book is now available. This covers the full development of the statue, a magnificent study of the development of the 2.3m bronze statue of Sir Keith. Requests to Geoff at the email address below. Fascinating – a must for Memorial supporters!!

Attached is a great story about Michael Kemp’s early life, and his journey to recover and restore a Queen Mary downed aircraft recover trailer – one of only two in New Zealand. With Michael’s passing, there is a quest to find a new home for the trailer and it’s Beford OXC Prime Mover.

Enquiries to Geoff – see our contact page.

The Thames Battle of Britain Commemorations this year will be held at the Thames Airfield, 11:00am Sunday 13th September. It is planned that the Tablet Memorial will be unveiled at this event.

The link below leads to the history of Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific, “Sir Keith Park” 34053 locomotive, built at Brighton Works in 1947, dedicated by Air Vice Marshall Sir Keith Park, the locomotive’s namesake, on the 15th September 1947 at Brighton station on the same day as classmate 21C167 ‘Tangmere’.

https://spavalleyrailway.co.uk/engine/southern-railway-bulleid-pacific-4-6-2-34053-sir-keith-park/