New Footsteps to the Few project commemorates Battle of Britain heroes

New resources to help teach school children and visitors about Hawkinge’s unique role in the Battle of Britain have been unveiled at the Battle of Britain Museum in Kent thanks to support from the Lawson Trust.

Image: The new panels before their unveiling

Thanks to funding from the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation and the Lawson Trust, the new information panels were installed following collaborative work between the Public Engagement Team and the museum. 

This was the first project of its kind in the UK between Commonwealth War Graves and the Battle of Britain Museum.

The panels were unveiled at an event on Monday 11th November and will teach visitors about the local casualties commemorated across the road at Hawkinge Cemetery. 

Image: Schoolchildren and visiting dignitaries unveil the new memorial panels.

Children from Hawkinge Primary School were invited to the unveiling of the panels, along with invited local dignitaries including Deputy Lieutenant Victoria Wallace, Ashford MP Sojan Joseph, the Mayor of Hawkinge and representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

Image: Dave Brocklehurst MBE and CWGC Public Engagement Coordinator (SE).

Dave Brocklehurst MBE, Museum Chairman & Trustee said:

“The idea behind the panels was very simple and by telling the stories of a handful of the casualties in the Hawkinge Cemetery, some of whom are commemorated in the Museum by artefacts excavated from the crash-sites of their aircraft or by personal effects donated by their families, this would hopefully encourage visitors to stop off in the cemetery and visit these graves.

"It will also hopefully lead new visitors to investigate and research some of the other casualties buried in the CWGC Section in the cemetery."

Sarah Nathaniel, Public Engagement Coordinator (SE) said:

“Dave and I are delighted to finally see this project come to fruition. Our aims are the same, to encourage visitors of all ages to engage with the stories of those who gave so much.

“Being able to pay your respects in the cemetery to these men after learning about them in the museum seems like a fitting way to end a visit. Visitors can also use the CWGC app link to download a tour of the cemetery that covers many other stories of the casualties we remember there.”

Following the unveiling, guests spent some time in the museum learning about the Battle of Britain and the importance of RAF Hawkinge to their local history. They then participated in a tour of the cemetery with activities designed to help them understand the human cost of war and the work of the Commonwealth War Graves in keeping the memory of these casualties alive.

Image: Visitors to Hawkinge Ceremony took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies

This educational activity will run on an annual basis and hopefully spread out to include other schools in the area. An Act of Remembrance will also take place in the cemetery.

There was a clear need for the information boards to highlight the existence of the historic cemetery plot in Hawkinge Cemetery, which forms a significant part of Kentish history in relation to the Second World War and the Battle of Britain.

The majority of visitors to the Battle of Britain Museum (around 20,000 each year) are unaware that there are war graves only a 5/10 minute walk away, including those of men whose effects and stories are in the museum.

The Foundation worked closely with Public Engagement Co-ordinator for the South East, Sarah Nathaniel, to secure funding for the project from the local Lawson Trust.

All photos courtesy of Sarah Nathaniel.