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Press Release

15th September 2010: Permanent bronze statue of Sir Keith Park unveiled in Waterloo Place, London

5th May 2010: Sir Keith Park statue is Removed from the 4th Plinth, Trafalgar Square

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

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

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

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

29th 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

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

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

EARLY DAY MOTION - EDM '651' Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign

Sponsor: Mark Field MP

Co-Sponsors: Karl McCartney Ming Campbell Alan Keen Kate Hoey Julian Brazier Jason McCartney Nicholas Soames Bob Russell

That this House recognises the leadership shown by Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park in leading to victory those who fought in the air during the Battle of Britain; congratulates the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign on its success in erecting a permanent bronze statue of Sir Keith in Waterloo Place on 15 September 2010, the 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain; believes that public acknowledgement of Park's leadership in the defence of Great Britain is long overdue; and further recognises that this statue will provide a fitting reminder of the selfless action shown not just by British pilots who flew alongside the Royal Air Force under Park's command but also those from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Ireland, Jamaica, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Poland, Rhodesia, South Africa and the United States.

Link to EDM '651' Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, Parliament website:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/651

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