Sunday, 2 October 2022

When history and art meet - Crafted in Bronze

Unveiling of Keith Park statue at Thames, NZ 27 April 2019 photo courtesy Chris Ball

The 82nd Battle of Britain Anniversary Commemorations in Thames, NZ on Sunday 11 September 2022 at the Thames Airfield, New Zealand. This bought to mind history of the Battle of Britain and New Zealanders among those in the aerial defence and combat  in the skies over the UK.


Flyover during unveiling of Keith Park statue at Thames, NZ 27 April 2019 photo courtesy Chris Ball

Battle of Britain - 10th July – 31st October 1940. Enter into the arena of this battle, in command of No 11 Group of the RAF. One, Keith Rodney Park (Decorated Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park, GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC). Park a New Zealander born in Thames New Zealand 15 June 1892. The area of defence by the No 11 Group was in the air over the South East England and London. Park. After the Battle of Britain, Park was moved as fighter command to training command. Later war operations saw Park in RAF command Malta and the Far East.

 

Not long after World War II , at the New Zealand Society's  annual London dinner, February 1947 Lord Tedder, head of the RAF on Park was to say: -

“ If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world.” 

Flyover Thames, NZ 27 April 2019 photo courtesy Chris Ball

" Fast forward" to 2008 in England. An international campaign was initiated to see a permanent statue of Park in recognition of his work as commander of No. 11 Group during the Battle of Britain. 

A temporary fibreglass statue was placed on the Fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, England  – significant with  history and art meeting – the empty  Fourth Plinth having a history of creativity and sculptures planned from 1841 to fill the empty space. 

At the 70th Anniversary Battle of Britain commemorations on 15 September 2010, Waterloo Place - unveiled-  a permanent bronze statue of Park. Recognition of what could be said to be “ a forgotten hero.” Recognised for the combat and defence  in the skies,  of Park  and the 11th squadron, in the Battle of Britain seventy years prior. 


Flyover in the skies  Thames, NZ 27 April 2019 photo courtesy Chris Ball


" Fast forward " in 2019 to Park's hometown in Thames, New Zealand. On the 27 April 2019, a full military ceremony saw the life size bronze statue of Park unveiled in front of the Thames civic centre ( formerly the RSA building ) at Thames, New Zealand.
kaumatua Wati Ngamane -mihi and karakia at beginning of ceremony - 27 April 2019 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

fast 
           Then in 2019 Defence Minister NZ Ron Mark unveiling Keith Parks statue 27 April 2019 - photo coutesy Chris Ball

A phone call from my cousin Stewart in Australia, cemented this outing for us . Stewart's son Mark Whyte, a sculptor and artist, had been commissioned by the Hare family to  craft  a life size statue in bronze. This of Sir Keith Park which was made possible, with a bequest in her will, from Betty Hare. (This was our chance to also catch up with Mark and baby Cora.)  Also to meet with Jonathan Campbell who did the casting in bronze, of the Park life size statue with the artist and sculptor, Mark Whyte. 

From Left Mark Whyte sculptor with baby Cora,  Jonathan Campbell bronze caster at ceremony 27 April 2019
- photo courtesy Chris Ball  

This bequest of $200,000 was left as Betty Hare felt that  Sir Keith Park was worthy of more recognition in his country New Zealand and birth place Thames, NZ. Sir Keith Park had played a major role in the Battle of Britain WWII, having been promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshall. Park was said to be responsible for the fighter defence of London and South east England. 

Wendy Hare - niece of Betty speaking at the unveiling ceremony of James Park statue - photo courtesy Chris Ball 

There were a number of speakers at the unveiling of the Park statue, along with a very large crowd watching the proceedings of this very memorable occasion.

Lesley Park - niece of Sir Keith Park speaking at ceremony - photo Chris Ball

speaker Sue Christie, councillor TCDC and Russell Skeet historian and convenor of ceremony unveiling of Keith Park statue
- photo Chris Ball 

Mark Whyte who usually specialises in  stone sculptures , is no stranger to bronze works. Prior to the Park life size statue at Thames NZ, Whyte  had been commissioned to do the twelve bronze busts of prominent Cantabrians. A mixed and diverse  bunch of contributions to Christchurch via business, culture, sport and the arts. The twelve bronze busts commissioned by the Local Heroes trust are of  Sir Don Beaven, Frank Dickson, Sir Richard Hadlee, Lady Diana Isaac Elsie Locke, Charles Luney, Margaret Mahy, Sir Tipene O’Regan, Sir Robertson (Bob) Stewart, William Sutton, Sir Angus Tait, Sir Miles Warren.

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A  further search of the internet finds Napier New Zealand has another of Whyte's bronze sculptures - " A wave in time" on Emmerson Street - Sheila Williams and her dog Raven -  a reminder of the 1933 street carnival held to mark Napier recovery  from the 1931 Napier Earthquake. 


Definitely beautiful creative art work by Mark Whyte and a tribute at Thames, NZ  to a " forgotten hero" of history - Sir Keith Rodney Park. 

statue of Sir Keith Rodney Park unveiled Thames NZ 27 April 2019
- photo courtesy Chris Ball

Now a final " fast forward" to 2022 ​ and the Thames Airfield, NZ - now carrying the name - Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield. The 82nd commemorations of the Battle of Britain reveal step one of another memorial to Park - the erection of a full- sized replica Hurrican Fighter and in the future a 2.3m bronze statue of Park in his flying uniform - a project of Sir Keith Park Memorial Inc

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