If I have read the Council documents correctly, the land had been reserved for the museum for 10 years but the museum has not come forward with any proposals. The Council seems to have decided to move on and make other use of the land. It seems a bit of a non-story.

Hi HP111
Im pretty certain that there would of been proposals in place by the museum, and that they also have the financial outlay for the purchase, but for some unknown reason sadly the council have done a u turn. im sure we will hear more in time ref proposals etc..

An American has joined the fight by signing the the Shepway Council petition with very strong and worthy views..

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The Kent Battle of Britain Museum facebook post below:

Thank you very much on behalf of all the Volunteers at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust to Johnny Wheeler for sharing with us a copy of the objection he emailed Shepway District Council last week.

Johnny describes himself as ‘a Yank by birth, British in spirit’ and wrote to the Council to object that the land, previously earmarked for the Museum to expand onto, is potentially being re-allocated for approximately 100 houses in their new ‘District Plan’.

Here’s what he wrote:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council,

It has been recently brought to light that an agreement that the Council had with the Kent Battle of Britain Museum is now being reconsidered. The agreement I believe provided that a parcel of land from the old wartime Hawkinge Aerodrome adjacent to their current location would be awarded to the museum if and when the land was developed for housing estates. There was a request on social media (Facebook) for supporters of the museum to sign a petition to try and persuade the esteemed members of the council to keep to the agreement of land so that the museum can conduct much needed expansion.

In my estimation, signing the petition was not good enough, so if you will indulge me in this narrative I would much rather express in a bit more detail why this agreement should be kept intact. Also, I am a Yank, and as such do not know if my signature on said petition carries any weight. Given the circus of our recent electoral processes, you have likely come to the conclusion that we are all complete idiots. But in fact, only just over half of us truly qualify, although I suspect the real numbers would be much higher.

I’m inclined to think that the question now passing through your mind is ‘so why would we give a toss what some American thinks about our plans for land in the UK?’ My credentials are zero, but if you will humour me in this perhaps that’s what makes my opinions a bit more of value. I can say that I do have an active interest in both your country and the Battle of Britain. I served for some years as the ‘webmaster’ for the Battle of Britain Historical Society which was based out of London. I am also a honorary member of 601 (County of London) Squadron’s Old Comrade’s Association, and the quasi-official historian of that very esteemed Auxiliary squadron. Again, this means very little, but provided for perspective.

Some years ago I made a pilgrimage to England as 601 Squadron was unveiling a statue at Hendon and I had been invited to attend. I visited the Kent Battle of Britain Museum and met the esteemed head of things – Dave Brocklehurst, MBE. I can only state that after the visit my jaw ached considerably as it had been dragging across the floor in sheer astonishment of what is contained within Dave’s wonderful museum. Having a keen interest in history, and having several museum curators as good friends, I can say with true honesty that the amount of ‘stuff’ that is displayed, and the manner in which it is presented provides about as good a picture as one can get not only of the battle itself, but more importantly of the very brave and noble Few that fought and strove to see it through.

One of my great heroes is Roger Bushell, whom you might know better as ‘Big X’ of Great Escape fame. Roger was an outstanding Barrister and got into some trouble for his defence of RAF airmen charged with various offenses – and not because he defended them, but rather because he always won. His personality, presence and abilities were immense. I only wish that he could don his barrister robe and wig, and fly over to speak with you on this matter. I’ve little doubt that you would immediately sign every square hectare of land over to Dave immediately, with apologies for any delay.

Instead you’re stuck with a damned American….but soldier on we must. As an American I have seen first-hand the way that we toss aside history. I live in a small city where ‘Uncle Sam’ was born and lived. The white bearded chap in red, white and blue was a real man, although he never wore such ridiculous clothing, and his claim to fame was actually suppling mostly rations to the US Army. Still, a famous US icon. The city let his house fall apart, then unceremoniously tore it down. We also have claim to laying the keel of the US Civil War ironclad the USS Monitor, a history making ship in one of the most pivotal times in American history. The iron works building where it was manufactured lay abandoned for decades and burnt to the ground several years ago.

The point is that it is much too easy to forget and erase history. While an action such as simply awarding a parcel of land to an existing museum might seem rather inconsequential, it is in fact key in keeping such places, and the history they preserve, alive and vibrant. A simple action now can truly make a world of difference down the road a bit.

Being an American, I can tell you first-hand that our overall egotistical view of history is basically ‘we won and conquered everything’. This jingoistic nonsense is the result of a lot of shortcomings I shall not get into. But I can tell you that I have absolutely no doubt that the Battle of Britain was one of the most important moments in all of the Second World War, and in fact the pivotal moment. I know that this has been debated by scholars for years, with questions of whether or not the battle was even won. Rubbish. Whether or not Hitler would have invaded (and the plans were certainly drawn up), the truth of the matter was that he at the very least hoped and expected Britain to be bombed into submission of a treaty that would have kept the island out of the war. There can be much speculation to the contrary, but without a proper stepping off point I think the US would have focused more on the Far East, possibly even entering into some sort of treaty with the evil corporal.

The Few who fought in the Battle of Britain – ordinary men from ordinary towns who, though often scared out of their wits, climbed into rather tiny aircraft to fight it out in the skies over your heads. In the estimation of many, they set the path that would lead to eventual victory. It is not unreasonable to say that they saved the world, or at least were a very mighty contributor. The importance of the Battle of Britain is understated at this time, mainly because it is still so ‘fresh’ in the scheme of historical timeline. In years to come it will be even more heavily dissected and debated. But it will certainly never lose the shine of being a British triumph, and has the added sparkle of having contributors from so many other nations as well. Our own Billy Fiske of 601 Squadron and remembered in St. Paul’s. Churchill’s summation indicated a debt that we owe. In recent years the men themselves, the great Few, have indicated that they were only doing their jobs. Their heroes were the ones that didn’t live to tell about it; their squadron-mates and friends that died during those hectic months of summer in 1940. But the survivors do hint at one thing that can be done, that perhaps they might be remembered. That’s what Dave Brocklehurst is doing, repaying our debt by working tirelessly (and Dave does put a hell of a lot of effort and time into this – all that he has as I suspect he has little time for much else) to remember these men. That’s what the Kent BoB Museum is all about. If he can expand and grow he can tell the tale even more effectively. He can remember those men, and in some way repay the debt we all owe. He’s damned well earned his MBE. And you have it within your power to help him, and repay your piece of that debt.

As a final argument, one should consider the real benefit of growing the museum. Certainly scattered throughout Britain are museums and memorials to those who fought in all of Britain’s wars. Places like the IWM offer an upscale, high view of it all. But grass roots efforts like the Kent Museum are immensely important. I’ll put it to you this way – three of us flew over from the states, and the Kent Museum was a top destination on our list. Having this in your back garden can only have a positive impact on the local economy as visitors come to see and learn. Your local businesses benefit from this, and your local constituents. A few extra houses in a housing development do not. If the museum is allowed to expand and show more of its impressive collection, it will most assuredly bring in more visitors, and return visitors as well. That the museum is located on the old Hawkinge Aerodrome only makes it so much more special and desirable to plan a visit. You have a real national treasure on your back door step. I cannot see where hindering its grown could be of any benefit to anyone, except to the developers. In the end I don’t think they will be sacrificing too much. Certainly a hell of a lot less than that eighteen year old pilot who met his end fighting so that such a thing is possible.

I apologise for the length of this, and thank you honestly and sincerely for allowing me the opportunity (or at least putting up with it to not hit ‘delete’ if you’ve made it this far). I wouldn’t write this if the sentiment were not genuine and heartfelt. Thank you for your time.

Most Sincerely,

Johnny R. Wheeler