Political, military and civic leaders in London are to pay homage overnight (NZ time) to the New Zealand airman who led the defence of the city 70 years ago in the Battle of Britain.
A bronze statue of Sir Keith Park is to be unveiled in London's Waterloo Place in a ceremony that culminates the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign - launched three years ago to raise awareness of the New Zealander's role in defending London and southeast England as commander of the Royal Air Force's No 11 Group, Fighter Command.
About 1000 guests - including New Zealand veterans of the battle, Squadron Leader Keith Lawrence and Group Captain John Gardner - are attending the ceremony which starts with a flypast of Spitfire and Hurricane planes.
The permanent memorial to Sir Keith follows the temporary display of a statue of the same design in Trafalgar Square for six months from November 2009.
RAF Marshal Lord Tedder said of Sir Keith: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don't believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."
Sir Keith commanded RAF squadrons which bore the brunt of the fighting in the battle. The failure of Nazi Germany to defeat the RAF in 1940 is seen as Adolf Hitler's first major setback in World War 2 and forced Germany to call off the planned invasion of Britain.
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp, representing the New Zealand Government, said in speech notes prepared for delivery at the unveiling ceremony that it was a proud moment for New Zealand.
"The unveiling of Sir Keith Park's statue reminds us today of the events 70 years ago when our nations stood in peril. In this battle freedom and democracy were at the precipice. The valour of the pilots of both our nations, and of other countries, won the day. Seventy years later we are the beneficiaries of their courage and steadfastness to duty," Dr Mapp said.
The Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said in his speech notes prepared for the ceremony: "Sir Keith Park's courage, commitment and leadership are qualities to be admired at any time, but it is his key role in a historic turning point in the war that London will never forget."
Also attending the ceremony will be RAF chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Royal New Zealand Air Force chief Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, Britain's Defence Secretary Liam Fox and some of Sir Keith's descendants.
Other descendants of Sir Keith marked the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain victory at a National War Memorial ceremony in Wellington today.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins said the commemoration recognised the service of 127 New Zealanders who fought with the RAF in the battle.
"We honour the 20 Kiwi airmen who lost their lives and we are grateful for the sacrifice made by all as they fought successfully to prevent German victory."
Of the 14 countries whose pilots fought with the RAF in the battle, only Britain with 2353 pilots and Poland with 145 had more pilots involved than New Zealand. Just over 80 pilots from the 2940 who fought to defend Britain are still alive and four of them are New Zealanders.
An elderly man, believed to be a veteran, collapsed during the Wellington ceremony today and was taken by ambulance to Wellington Hospital.
