Relatives commemorate Battle of Britain leader

15 September 2025

Bob Dale & Hsin-Yi Lo, South Eastand

Sam Harrison,Capel-le-Ferne

News image — Sir Keith Park was in charge of the RAF's fighters which defended London and the South East during the Battle of Britain

Getty Images A black and white photograph of Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park. He is wearing a flying helmet and life jacket over his army uniform standing next to a fighter plane. He is a middle-aged man with a moustache. — Sir Keith Park was in charge of the RAF's fighters which defended London and the South East during the Battle of Britain

Relatives of the man in charge of protecting south-east England during the Battle of Britain have led a memorial service to mark its 85th anniversary.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park took charge of Fighter Command's 11 Group in April 1940, with the unit tasked with defending the region from German air attacks.

Sir Keith's great nephew, Brian, his great nephew Alex Neill, and great niece Susie Hunt, took part in the ceremony at the National Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne, which features a bust of Sir Keith.

Ms Hunt told the BBC they were "proud and honoured" to be related to Sir Keith.

Sam Harrison / BBC Alex Neill, the great grandson of Sir Keith Park, is standing next to Susie Hunt, who is the great granddaughter of Sir Keith. Mr Neill is wearing a black cardigan, a white shirt and a checked tie while Ms Hunt is wearing a dark brown shirt and two gold necklaces. They are inside a building featuring warplane models inside display cabinets. — Alex Neill is the great grandson and and Susie Hunt is the great granddaughter of Sir Keith Park

The first decisive battle in history to be fought in the air began on 10 July 1940 and reached its climax on 15 September, which became known as Battle of Britain Day.

Fighter Command's 11 Group bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe attacks throughout the spring, summer and early autumn of 1940.

Getty Images A sculptor named Les Johnson, who is in a dark blue workwear, is standing next to a nine-foot high bronze statue of Sir Keith Park in Waterloo Place, London. He is holding a tool working on the statue inside a workshop. — New Zealander Sir Keith is commemorated with a bronze statue at Waterloo Place in London, by sculptor Les Johnson

In August 2023, Sir Keith's name was added to the list of The Few, which referred to service people from the RAF, the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Navy who fought during the Battle of Britain.

Following the Act of Remembrance members of Sir Keith's family laid a wreath at his bust.

Fourteen flags from other countries were flown to recognise allied efforts in securing a victory for the battle.

Mr Neill said: "He played a significant role in the outcome of the battle. It's about remembrance, not celebration for those who suffered and died.

"There's a sense of satisfaction that his position in the battle has been recognised, history is telling the true story now."

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