main content Biggin Hill War Memorial

Biggin Hill War Memorial, Main Road, Biggin Hill, TN16

This memorial was originally known as the Cudham War Memorial on Biggin Hill Green, that being the parish for the area prior to the emergence of Biggin Hill as a centre of population in its own right.

The memorial was unveiled at 3pm on Wednesday 21st March 1923 by Group Captain Blandy, D.S.O. of the Air Ministry, a former commander of the nearby RAF Air Station and the dedication was by the Vicar of Cudham the Rev. Bryan O`Loughlin. The memorial made from silver grey granite was designed and made by Messrs. Francis Chappell of Bromley.

The newspaper reports of the time give some interesting additional local information.

"Group Captain Blandy said before the unveiling "I passed the last months of the war at Biggin Hill and the aerodrome was one of the first places in England to hear by wireless the good news of the Armistice on 11th November 1918. I telephoned to the Vicar of Westerham to ring the church bells, hoping it would be the first message in the district if not the country to hear the great news".

Anti-aircraft detachments from Biggin Hill formed the Guard of Honour, with arms reversed. A representative from the The Royal Regiment of Artillery, Corps of Engineers, Royal Signals and R.A.F. were placed at the corners as mourners.

The column rests on a brick foundation with receptacles containing earth from the gardens where those who fell resided, and it is banked with earth from different parts of the parish. The brickwork and banking were done by Mr. A.T. Roffey, D.C.M., Mr. B. Aves and Mr. S. Hill.

A large gathering witnessed the unveiling with members of ex service organisations, local churches and youth groups.

32 names are recorded in nice clear lead lettering on the front for the First World War and the 27 names of the Second World War are on the right side panel.

The only inscription reads:-

TO THE FALLEN OF THIS PARISH, THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE.