Fresh from a £350,000 overhaul, Bulleid Pacific 34053 Sir Keith Park is to be renamed 303 Squadron at a special naming ceremony at the Spa Valley Railway on Sunday, 1st September.
The special event will take place at the railway’s station at Eridge in Kent at 13:00 and last approximately 30 minutes.
If the weather is favourable, it is hoped that there will be celebrated with a flypast of an appropriate aircraft.
To allow more passengers to travel to see the naming ceremony a more intensive service than usual will operate on the day.
However, there will be limited passenger accommodation on the 12:00 service from Tunbridge Wells West, and similarly on the 13:45 and 14:20 services. Anyone wishing to travel on these services is advised to book early.
If visitors wish to view the naming ceremony, they will need to be at Eridge station between 12:30 and 12:45.
Seating will be available for invited guests, but as space is limited on the station platform the naming ceremony can be viewed from other parts of the station.
High Rocks will be closed on Sunday 1 September.
Because this is a special occasion, only all-day travel tickets will be available at a cost of £20 for adults, £19 for seniors (60+), £10 for children (2-15yrs), and £50 for a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children).
SLL – Southern Locomotives Ltd unveiled the new nameplates and crest for 303 Squadron to adorn Battle of Britain Class No. 34053 on 11th May at the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge.
Krzysztof de Berg from The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee completed the unveiling ceremony.
The original Sir Keith Park nameplates will be reinstated on the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in September 2025, and will once again adorn 34053 which they have done since 1947.
SLL – Southern Locomotives Ltd have contacted Louise Kellett, daughter of the Commanding Officer of 303 Squadron during the Battle, who understandably is delighted with our idea; also involved are the Polish Air Force Memorial Trust based at Northolt.
Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry.
I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle (of Britain) would have been the same.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of RAF Fighter Command
No. 303 Squadron RAF was one of two Polish squadrons that fought during the Battle of Britain. It was also known as the 303rd “Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko Warsaw” Fighter Squadron, and fought alongside No. 302 Squadron.
Sixteen Polish squadrons flew Hawker Hurricanes during the Second World War.
Of the 66 Allied fighter squadrons engaged in the Battle of Britain, 303 squadron claimed the largest number of aircraft shot down, even though it joined the battle until two months after it had begun.
No. 303 Squadron RAF was formed as part of an agreement between the Polish Government in Exile and the United Kingdom in July 1940.
Initially based in Blackpool, it redeployed to RAF Northolt on 2nd August. It was disbanded in December 1946 with a distinguished combat record.
Bulleid Pacifics 34053 Sir Keith Park and 34072 257 Squadron are owned by Southern Locomotives Limited (SLL) and based at the Spa Valley Railway.
In the early 1990s, it was very much involved in raising money for the Battle of Britain Fighter Association as a thank-you for the association’s involvement with recommissioning 257 Squadron at Folkestone Central Station on 8th September 1990.
Over 20 different Squadrons were represented by Battle of Britain air crew at the ceremony and reception.
Several years ago, long-term volunteer Mike Frackiewicz suggested that one of the Battle of Britain Pacifics should be renamed 303 Squadron.
Southern Locomotives Limited Director Peter Spowage recently came up with a plan to rename one of them 303 Squadron for a year in gratitude for what they achieved, some 84 years after the formation of the Squadron.
It is appropriate that 34053 Sir Keith Park is the chosen locomotive, as Sir Keith Park was Air Vice Marshall in direct control of 11 Group Fighter at the time.
Responses
What is going to be the number of it? 34303? 🤣
I wonder whether tge New Zealand High Commissioner will be invited to attend when tge original name plates are restored to the locomotive in September
Matinée performance only. The original name will be restored afterwards.
Sacrilege to remove the nameplates from this locomotive even temporarily. Keith Park’s contribution to the winning of the Battle of Britain cannot be understated. His treatment afterwards was disgusting.
The contribution of Polish pilots during WW2 was similarly legendary, but I do feel that some other means of honouring them should be found.
I want that name 303 squadron in my bedroom on display
Poor Air Chief Marshall Park. Turning in his grave no doubt.
I’m sure Sir Keith would be delighted that one of his 11 group squadrons – the most effective is honoured in this way. He was a decorated WW1 pilot so understood the air fighting going on. If anything it is Park who won the Battle of Britain and the Poles were his best pilots. Same mentality as the Ukrainians.