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Plinth 'should honour hero who led Battle of Britain'
Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor26.02.08
A City financier has launched a bid to have a permanent memorial to a Battle of Britain leader on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
Terry Smith is willing to invest more than £100,000 on a bronze statue of former air chief marshal Sir Keith Park, a New Zealander credited with masterminding the RAF's defence of the UK, who died in 1975.
He believes this would be a better use of the plinth than the rolling commission of modern art overseen by Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Mr Smith, chief executive of City trading house Tullett Prebon, has commissioned New Zealand sculptor Roderick Burgess to create a bronze statue of Sir Keith standing up to 12ft high.
Sir Keith was said by Sir Douglas Bader to have borne the "awesome responsibility" for ensuring Britain's survival against German planes, while Lord Tedder, as marshal of the RAF, said of him: "If any man won the Battle of Britain, he did."
Mr Smith said a model of Sir Keith would fit in well alongside other military heroes in the square, such as Nelson, Havelock and Napier. He added: "It is unbelievable that there is no recognition of a man who made such a massive contribution to Britain's defence."
Tory London Assembly member Angie Bray, who is quizzing the Mayor over the cost of the fourth plinth art scheme, said: "It's time we had something substantial and significant.
"It's a square where we should recognise our service heroes. The RAF is the only one that is woefully missing and it's of particular significance for London because we wouldn't all be here if it wasn't for people like Keith Park."
At present, the plinth is occupied by Model For A Hotel by German artist Thomas Sch¸tte. This replaced Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn and is expected to be in place for around 18 months.
A consultation on six shortlisted replacements, including proposed works by Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor, will be concluded next month.
Emin wants to place statues of meerkats on the plinth to symbolise "unity and safety", while Gormley would invite members of the public to stand on it for an hour each.
Reader views (14)
They should honor this great man. Its sad to me that we have lost the fight for our country today.
Makes me mad. Thanks New Labour.
- Another_Brit_Abroad, Canada
New Labour don't like war heroes, they prefer to erect statues of convicted terrorists in our public squares.
- The Gene Genie, Croydon
I have no problem with Sir Keith Park but would have thought that a far more appropriate cause would be Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay. In 1940 he masterminded the evacuation of Dunkerque which enabled us to fight on and in 1944 he masterminded the sea-going side of the invasion of Normandy which finally liberated Europe from Nazi tyranny. His untimely death in a plane crash meant he never received all the plaudits that were his due. But, whoever, no more of those bloody awful things so beloved of Livingstone.
- Charlie Puckett, London SW3
I feel This would be a fitting tribute to a very much undervalued man, who was treated badly after the battle of Britain. If it were not for his resolute determination and ability to inspire his pilots ( the few ) we may be living in a much different world.
- Robert Brunning, Cheshunt Herts
A dreadful idea. There are plenty of statues of people involved in war after war in the capital. The fourth plinth is for new ideas - it's so nice to see different things there. I don't like them all, but so far at least, they haven't glorified war.
- Mary Roe, London, England
What's wrong with something a bit different like Dick Whittington, a Cockney king/queen, Wordsworth (he said London was the flower of cities all), a non-dom, a chef, a dustman (my old man was one), the Olympic logo? Anything other than another piece of tacky, politically correct art. We're Londoners, not young radicals.
- John Problem, Winchester UK
No Sir Keith Park has been recognised. Let's recognise and immortalise, 'ONE OF THE FEW'
Many gave their lives so that we might have a free choice in our lives.
Let's immortalise them!
- A.Winsley, London. England
A brilliant idea, but I'd put a Hurricane fighter there as well.
- Chris, Woking, UK
Sir Keith Park deserves more recognition than he has to date, but the plinth needs someone more identifiable, more uplifting as the spirit of Britain in 1940: Douglas Bader.
- Pete, london
As with everything, if Ken Livingstone don't want it, we wont get it. Probably not politically correct.
- A.D. Redrup, Ruislip, Middlesex
What a sound idea! As a Kiwi with strong family ties to the UK, I applaud this idea that will ensure future generations remember the vital role this man played in winning World War II.
- Kiwi Expat, London, UK
At last! A sensible suggestion.
- Jimbob, Kensington
Yes, at last, a sensible and realistic suggestion. But the moment someone says "bronze statue" I think of some of the other cheap and nasty looking bronze statues that have appeared in London and elsewhere in recent years. If we are to recognise Sir Keith Park, then let's have the kind of good quality statue that will stand the test of time.
- Ken, Bexleyheath, UK
I couldn't agree more with Terry Smith - the plinth should have someone who did so much for London - as he says we wouldn't be here without his bravery and courage.
What have statues by T Emin or A Gormley to do with London and Londoners? London is now ugly enough already without adding to it.
- Sue Arnold, London, England
