September 2024 Newsletter #13

President Geoff Furkert flew to London to attend the unveiling Monday 9th September at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, of new portraits of ACM Lord Dowding and ACM Sir Keth Park;

Thames Battle of Britain Commemorations were held 11:00am Sunday 15th September;

Waxes from which the statue of ACM Sir Keith Park will be cast have been despatched to the foundry.

British pomp and ceremony . . !!
Crisp RAF uniforms, crisp uniforms from other services, other representatives, lots of medals and lots of gold braid! (“fruit salad” and “scrambled eggs”)

The unveiling at the RAF Club, Piccadilly on Monday 9th September of two new portraits: one of ACM Lord Dowding and one of ACM Sir Keith Park, now hanging one either side of the existing portrait of Sir Winston Churchill in the Churchill Bar at the Club. A fitting tribute to these two auspicious gentlemen !!

What a prestigious occasion – some 84 years in the making. A huge recognition for New Zealand and for Sir Keith.

I was invited to attend the unveiling, which resulted in a lightning return to the UK for two days in London, then back for the Thames Battle of Britain Commemorations on Sunday 15th September!! It may have been my comments to the RAF Club Management this time last year which initiated this recognition – who can be sure!

The unveiling was an amazing networking opportunity for me, and one where I was able to promote, not only Sir Keith and his wide-ranging achievements, but also our Memorial project here in Thames.

The unveiling duties were performed by the current Lord Dowding (Lord Piers Hugh Tremenheere Dowding, 3rd Baron Dowding). After first unveiling his grandfather’s painting, he moved across to the portrait of Sir Keith, whereupon he called on Sarah Mossman (daughter of Lesley Park) to join him. A wonderful and sensitive touch!

Some of the people whom I met and talked with included: New Zealand High Commissioner HE Phil Goff, WgCdr Mark Waters (New Zealand Defence Advisor to the UK), Gail Romano (Curator, War History, Auckland Museum), Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards (RAF Club event organiser), Hazell Morgan (artist for the portraits) and her husband Stephen, current AOC 11 Group Air Vice-Marshal Tom Burke, Sarah Mossman, Keith Skilling and Bobby, and many, many others.

Following the main unveiling event, I joined Air Vice-Marshal Tom Burke and a few RAF/ex-RAF friends in the Running Horse Tavern at the Club. A very pleasant, informal gathering.

After that, I was invited to a private dinner in the Dining Room, hosted by London philanthropist and property magnate – Alastair Kerr. The dinner was in intimate affair with about 30 guests, an occasion where I was able to speak about our project and efforts to gain greater and more appropriate recognition for Sir Keith.

My comments were well received and some interesting networking connections kindled. I believe that my new association with Alastair will be mutually beneficial.

This quick trip to London is something that I would not have wanted to miss. I wasn’t totally sure what I was going to as I left New Zealand, but, looking back, the journey exceeded my wildest expectations! Not to have been missed for quids . . !!

NOTE: No donations to the SKP Memorial project were applied to my trip to London. All my travel expenses were paid for by me, personally.

I cannot add much to the great local publicity that the recent Battle of Britain Commemorations attracted last week.
The two articles, with photos, are attached:
– Mercury Bay Informer, 17th September 2024 2 pages;
– Valley Profile, 18th September 2024 1 page.

However, the commemorations next year Sunday 14th September 2025 are planned to be a grander event as there will be a statue to inaugurate. Watch this space!

Joanne has now despatched the waxes for the 2.3m bronze statue of Sir Keith to the foundry. This means that the fully finished, completed statue will arrive back in New Zealand in March next year.

Kylie’s mural portrait of Sir Keith was completed mid-August and erection on the Hauraki Aero Club Hangar completed in two days by 13th August, including the flood lighting at night.

This was an immediate success, as highlighted by the social media postings which started the next day.

Even at my visit to the RAF Club (see above) New Zealand High Commissioner HE Phil Goff was aware of this mural before I even raised the matter, and was euphoric in his praise. Others at this event, when shown pictures of Kylie’s work, were similarly impressed.

I can’t thank Kylie enough for her efforts, skill and passion for undertaking this work.

Although sufficient funds have been raised to ensure that we will have a bronze statue of Sir Keith Park to inaugurate next year, funds in the order of $35,000 are still needed to get the memorial project to the finish line.

Please help with a donation – to whatever extent you can.
The banking details are on our “Support” page.