by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:26th October 2018
Not to be forgotten in Capel-le-Ferne
The Battle of Britain Memorial is located in the small village of Capel-le-Ferne, just a short hop along the road from Dover. So, it makes a perfect addition to your visit to the magnificent Dover Castle.
The thoughtful and touching memorial is a monument to the brave and heroic aircrew who flew during the Second World War and risked their lives for our freedom.
The Battle of Britain took place between 10th July and 31st October 1940. Intense fighting relentlessly took place over the English Channel. The area over Dover and Folkestone was referred to as “Hellfire Corner”.
Why not Pin it for later?
Where is the Battle of Britain Memorial?
How to get to the Battle of Britain Memorial
- By Train
You can catch a train to Dover Priory Railway Station, and then the 102 bus to Capel Le Ferne
- By Car
Follow the M20 Motorway until Folkestone and leave at J13 and follow the brown signs for the Battle of Britain Memorial.
The postcode for your sat-nav is CT18 7JJ
Overlooking the White Cliffs of Dover
The perfect spot
The memorial stone
Situated high on the cliffs with an incredible view across the sea. This particular site was chosen for the memorial as it has connections with the first and second World Wars.
The few
Airships were moored here during World War I between 1914-18, and in 1941 a gun battery was built here.
The Memorial Wall
Much of the personnel accommodation was underground, including a hospital.
A touching RAF Memorial in Kent
Remembering those who fought against a common enemyIt is quite a moving memorial with the primary focus being a lone airman looking out to sea across the English Channel, almost waiting for his comrades to come home.
Looking out over the White Cliffs
All around the base of the memorial are the badges dedicated to the squadrons who fought during the Battle of Britain. There were not only British but Burmese and Polish as well.
The pilot
Point to Note
The Battle of Britain Memorial is free of charge and open 365 days a year if you are on foot. Parking is £1 an hour, and the money goes to the upkeep of the memorial.
You can visit their website too, with up to date information of events being held at the memorial.
The Heroes of the Battle of Britain
A touching memorialThe memorial was opened on July 9th, 1993 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
However, this only happened by the persistence of an airman, Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page. Geoffrey Page was shot down during the battle and bailed out into the sea with severe burns in 1940. He was credited with destroying 15 enemy aircraft.
The Spitfire
He returned again to duty and crashed later in the war and was seriously injured. His determination didn’t stop there when he found out there wasn’t a memorial to the Battle of Britain, a trust was set up to raise funds.
The Hurricane
Geoffrey’s dream was realised in 1993 & died in August 2000.
Wish to Donate?
If you wish to donate to the Battle of Britain memorial you can do so here.
The detail at the Battle of Britain Memorial
It's there in plain sightTo get an ideal perspective of the memorial it needs to be seen from above, there are three white propeller blades stretching out from the central statue.
The Propeller
Lest we forget
The sacrifices madeAs you leave the Winston Churchill quote is there for all to see, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”
The Quote
Have You?
Visited any of Britain’s memorials to heroes, some of these can be incredibly poignant?
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