The Museum :: Local Memorials Project
In 2006, the Museum decided to erect permanent memorials to all those Battle of Britain pilots who lost their lives within a ten miles radius of Shoreham.
The list of names is not a short one. Amongst others it includes Flt/Lt James Paterson and Sgt Trevor Oldfield (both of 92 Squadron), F/O Nathaniel Barry (501 Squadron), Sgt John Ellis (85 Squadron), and Sgt Jack Hammerton (615 Squadron). Over the coming years, our aim is to erect a suitable memorial at, or as close as possible to, the spot where each of these brave young men made the ultimate sacrifice.
The first memorial stone was dedicated to Flt/Lt Jimmy Paterson on Wednesday 27th September 2006 at Sparepenny Lane, Farningham. Jimmy died on the same spot on 27th September 1940, after his Spitfire was shot down by Me109s. The memorial service received widespread media coverage and was marked by a Spitfire flypast. In attendance were members of Jimmy's family who had travelled all the way from New Zealand. You can read a full report of the dedication in the Winter '06 edition of Friends of the Few magazine (.pdf file, 1.5Mb).
The second memorial stone was dedicated to Flying Officer Nathaniel Barry of 501 Squadron on Saturday 26th May 2007. Nat was a South African volunteer. On 7th October 1940, he was involved in combat with Me109s over Wrotham. His Hurricane was hit and severely damaged and he was forced to bale out, but he was dead before he reached the ground. Nat's memorial dedication service was marked by a Hawker Hurricane flypast and took place at Court Lodge Farm, Darenth near Dartford, Kent. Images from the service.
The third memorial was dedicated to Sergeant Trevor Oldfield of 92 Squadron on the 67th anniversary of his death - 27th September 2007. Trevor was shot down in combat with Me109s over Dartford in Kent at 3.18pm on 27th September 1940. He died in his Spitfire R6622 at Hesketh Park, Dartford. The memorial service was marked by an RAF bugler and a Spitfire flypast. Images from the service.
We plan to dedicate three more memorials to our local heroes in 2008.
The Local Memorials Project is an ambitious and expensive undertaking, for which we rely heavily upon volunteers and funds raised by our Signing Days. If you would like to help us achieve our goal, please get in touch. Or help us by buying a limited edition commemorative print.
Memorials DVD Offer
DVD recordings of the 3 memorial unveiling's in honour of Flt/Lt Paterson, F/O Barry and Sgt Oldfield are available to purchase. Each DVD costs £12.00 including UK post & packing, or alternatively all 3 DVD's can be purchased for £30.00 post free. Copies are available by either visiting the Museum or please contact the Museum to order. Proceeds from the sale of the DVD's go towards the Local Memorial Project Fund.