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Kent
- Place
of Interest
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The Battle of Britain Memorial
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Capel le Ferne, Folkestone, Kent
Tel: 01304 253286
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On a spectacular clifftop position can be found
the Battle of Britain Memorial that was built to commemorate those who fought and lost their
lives in the summer of 1940. Taking the form of an immense three bladed propeller cut into the
chalk hillside with, at its centre, the statue of a lone seated airman, this is a fitting tribute to those
young men who so bravely and unselfishly served their country. The memorial was unveiled by
HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1993 and an annual memorial day is held here on
the Sunday that lies closest to 10th July, the start of the air battle.
The siting of the memorial here is particularly poignant as it was in the skies above, in
the summer of 1940, that the RAF struggled to gain air supremacy over the Luftwaffe and so
prevent the otherwise inevitable German invasion. The battle, that cost so many their lives, lasted until
the end of October and, as well as being the last major conflict over British soil, the victory
marked the turning point of World War II.
Close to the memorial, by the flagpole that originally stood at RAF Biggin Hill, is a
memorial wall on which Winston Churchill's immortal
words, "Never in the field of human conflict was so
much owed by so many to so few", are carved. At
the adjacent visitors' centre visitors can purchase
a range of souvenirs and it should be remembered that this memorial and the site on which it
stands relies on public donation for its maintenance.
Open daily from 1st April to 30th September, 11am
- 5pm.
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For further
information on this title please
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Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK RG7 8TN
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