Malcolm Ravenhill

Flying Officer (RAF Pilot), The Battle of Britain, 229 Squadron

Memorial Stone Dedication, Ightham, 1st July 2022

On Friday 1st July 2022 a memorial stone for Malcolm was unveiled in the village of Ightham, directly opposite St. Peter’s Church, just down the road from where his Hurricane crashed in 1940.

The weather was very kind, the whole day was a great success, very moving, and I met many fantastic people. The stone is in a prime spot and ensures that Malcolm will never be forgotten. I am very proud.

Thank you to everyone that attended on the day and to all that had involvement in the memorial.

Ightham memorial stone, 1st July 2022

Special thanks to:

  • Everyone at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum (you’ve been amazing), in particular Geoff Nutkins and Doug Parry.
  • Brian Rance.
  • Air Vice Marshal David Hobart with 2427 Squadron representatives Flight Sergeant Kennell, Corporal Bani and Sergeant Compton.
  • Dave Evans and Rita Radford at the Biggin Hill St. George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance who, unbeknown to me at the time, had a big part in the memorial.
  • Canon Tim Hatwell of St. Peter’s Church.
  • Ightham Parish Council.
  • The Kemsing British Legion.
  • John and Margaret Pulfer at the Battle of Britain Historical Society.
  • David Baldwin and Kelly Mussared.
  • The George & Dragon, Ightham.

The Memorial Stone covered by an old RAF Ensign with the picture my late parents had commissioned in the 1990s (now belonging to the Shoreham Aircraft Museum)
Eulogy to Malcolm by myself
Air Vice Marshal David Hobart reciting the poem “High Flight”
Leading Shoreham Aircraft Museum volunteer David Vaughan Jones ex 92 Sqn and Air Vice Marshal David Hobart carefully lifting the fragile ensign off stone
Canon Tim Hatwell, Rector of St Peter’s Church Ightham, dedicating the stone
Trevor Bardell, Shoreham Aircraft Museum, closing the Service
Brian Rance, Professor of Trumpet who had played the last post and reveille
Air Vice Marshal David Hobart with 2427 Sqn Biggin Hill Air Cadets Colour Party, L to R: Corporal Bani, Flight Sergeant Kennell and Sergeant Compton
View of St. Peter’s Church from behind the stone
Memorial Stone 1st July 2022
Memorial Stone 1st July 2022
Order of Service
The beautiful village of Ightham in Kent
Crash Site, Ightham, Kent
Crash site of F/O Malcolm Ravenhill in Ightham, Kent
Battle of Britain Historical Society Feature
The Battle of Britain Historical Society kindly donating £500 towards the memorial