Family looking forward to honouring Kiwi war icon | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua relatives of New Zealand war hero Sir Keith Park are heading to London for the unveiling of a statue to the man who helped save England in its darkest hour.

A permanent bronze statue of Thames-born Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park will be unveiled in Waterloo Place, London, on September 15 to mark the 70th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day.

Rotorua dentist Rodney Park said his wife and daughter would be joining Park family members from around New Zealand and Australia at the official unveiling next month.

Mr Park,  Sir Keith's great nephew,  said it would be a proud day for the entire Park family.

"It will be a family reunion in some respects ... and because it's the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, in which he played such an important part, we feel it's very significant."

Sir Keith  commanded 11 Group Fighter Command, which defended London and the south east of England throughout the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.

His  leadership and tactical brilliance was central to Britain winning the battle, which in turn helped determine the outcome of World War II.

The unveiling marks the culmination of a two-year campaign which saw the temporary installation of a 5m-high statue of Sir Keith on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square.

The unveiling will be attended by some 1000 invited guests, including Battle of Britain veterans and representatives of the Commonwealth and other countries whose airmen flew alongside the Royal Air Force during the battle.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said all New Zealanders should be proud of  Sir Keith. 

"This memorial campaign ... is a fitting tribute to this extraordinary New Zealander. It also commemorates the over 100 other New Zealanders who flew in the Battle, manning the Spitfires and Hurricanes that defended against the Luftwaffe," he said.
 

Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign Terry Smith said it would give him great pleasure to see Sir Keith receive the recognition he deserved.

"This permanent bronze statue is a fitting memorial to Sir Keith, situated as it is in the heart of the capital city that he did so much to defend in 1940. It is all the more fitting that the statue is in view of New Zealand House," he said.