The West Malling Airfield Memorial Group must have been proud today
to see such a satisfactory culmination of their years of effort, in such
a wonderful service.
In a ceremony outside the Kings Hill Centre, the years of
history represented by West
Malling Airfield were celebrated in the unveiling and dedication of a
magnificent Memorial to all those who served at the airfield in its 28
years of RAF occupation from 1939 to 1967.
In the presence of dignitaries from the RAF and from Public Life, as
well as a large crowd of more than 600, drawn from both near and far, the Reverend Donald
Bish (RAF Rtd) and the Canon Reverend Brian Stevenson from West
Malling, dedicated the memorial, accompanied by hymns played by
the Kent Police Band.
Each of the four tablets -two metres in height and weighing more than a
tonne- were unveiled, by a guest of honour, revealing an inscription
highlighting past events at the airfield.
The highlight of the day however was the unveiling of a magnificent
full-size bronze figure of a running airman, complete with parachute.
Created by Kate Denton, this figure forms the centre piece of the
memorial.
The rain, threatening all day, could not spoil the proceedings although
sadly poor weather elsewhere in the country caused the cancellation of
the Grace Spitfire fly past.
The memorial was unveiled by:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley Norris GCB OBE DSO MA
Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO+Bar DFC+Bar
Group Captain John Cunningham CBE DSO DFC AE DL
Sir John Stanley MP
Mr John Loder FRAeS ex 29 Squadron West Malling
