Listen Live

‘Battle of Britain’ class loco honours brave Polish pilots

Wednesday, 4 September 2024 06:05

By Nigel Peacock X @westkentradio

An express locomotive at the Spa Valley Railway has been renamed

An express locomotive at the Spa Valley Railway has been renamed to honour Polish pilots who served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

The renaming coincides with the 85th anniversary of the invasion of Poland by German - and later Russian - forces.

The Bullied Pacific steam engine ‘Sir Keith Park’ will be known as ‘303 Squadron’ until September 2025.

Pilots who escaped from Poland formed the squadron and played an important role in the Battle of Britain. They flew Hurricane fighters and shot 126 enemy aircraft out of the skies over West Kent and South East England during the battle.

The rebuilt Battle of Britain class loco will revert to its original name when the 85th anniversary of battle is commemorated in September 2025.

Peter Spowage - a Director of Southern Locomotives, the organisation that restored and owns the rebuilt the loco - speaks to West Kent Radio’s Brian Johnson.


Peter Spowage is pictured on ‘303 Squadron’

Share

More from LOCAL NEWS FEATURES

  • Leigh Cricket Club's 325 Years

    Audio

    Ian Bishop of Leigh Cricket Club tells us about a special game against the M.C.C. taking place on Friday 25th July 2025.

  • Southborough's Special Allotment

    A community allotment garden and wellness project in Southborough has benefited from £18,000 of National Lottery funding through its Community Fund.

  • Sweeter Strawberries

    Kent is known for its fruit farms and this year’s harvest of summer strawberries and other soft fruit has been an excellent one.

  • Friendship Circle for Towns

    Tonbridge and the German town of Heusenstamm are celebrating 40 years of being twin towns.

  • 9 Health Features

    We get tips from a GP in Southborough on how exercise and good diet can improve your general health.

  • Unassuming War Hero

    Audio

    Guy Maunsell saved hundreds of lives by creating the Thames Estuary Seaforts in the Second World War and his grave is in Southborough cemetery.

  • Word Up!

    Audio

    A thriving poetry reading event in Tunbridge Wells has led to one poet having her work published.

  • "Exquisite" Church Windows

    Audio

    We hear how the world famous modern artist Marc Chagall came to complete the unique stained glass windows in All Saints' Tudeley.

On Air Now The Wind Down 11:00pm - 2:00am
Now Playing
Dreadlock Holiday 10Cc
Recently Played
  • Only Yesterday The Carpenters 23:48
  • Walking On The Moon The Police 23:43
  • Easy On Me Adele 23:39

COMING UP

  • Through The Night

    2:00am - 8:00am

    Non Stop Music

  • Alex Tuckwell

    8:00am - 10:00am

    Weekend Breakfast sponsored by Beulah Lodge

SOCIAL MEDIA