On 21 October 2025, La Pietà Statue, given to the Chapel by the French Air Force and Space Force
was unveiled and blessed today by Pére Jerome Maljean of the French Air Force.
La Pietà is a gift to the Chapel from the French Air and Space Force, in memory of the pilots of the Free French Squadrons who lost their lives flying from Biggin Hill Sector in WWll. In the Chapel their names are inscribed on the Reredos under Squadrons 340 and 341. The Statue is a copy of La Pietà which was created by Michaelangelo at the end of the 15th century. The Friends of the Chapel installed a polished granite stone on which the statue sits and a stainless steel plaque. Plants chosen for Remembrance and other significance, are around the statue.
A service in the Chapel was led by Dr David Jefferys and Reverend Giles Legood, the Chaplain in Chief Royal Air Force. Father Jerome Maljean gave an address and joined in with prayers. The Royal Air Foirce Regiment Association standard was paraded together with the flags of St George's Chapel and 2427 Squadron ( Biggin Hill) ATC.
Members of Forces, Embassies of the Allies during the war, the Mayor, the Mayoress of Bromley, Councillor Melanie Stevens and former BBC broadcsaster Jan Leeing attended. La Pietà was unveiled by two cadets from 2427 Squadron (Biggin Hill) Air Training Corps after the reading of the aircrew names. The statue was blessed by the Roman Catholic priest Pére Jerome Maljean and the Last Post was sounded by a Trumpeter from the Royal Air Force Band at Northolt.
A service in the Chapel was led by Dr David Jefferys and Reverend Giles Legood, the Chaplain in Chief Royal Air Force. Father Jerome Maljean gave an address and joined in with prayers. The Royal Air Foirce Regiment Association standard was paraded together with the flags of St George's Chapel and 2427 Squadron ( Biggin Hill) ATC.
Members of Forces, Embassies of the Allies during the war, the Mayor, the Mayoress of Bromley, Councillor Melanie Stevens and former BBC broadcsaster Jan Leeing attended. La Pietà was unveiled by two cadets from 2427 Squadron (Biggin Hill) Air Training Corps after the reading of the aircrew names. The statue was blessed by the Roman Catholic priest Pére Jerome Maljean and the Last Post was sounded by a Trumpeter from the Royal Air Force Band at Northolt.
If you would like to see the service please click on this file : la_pieta_service_as_at_1610.16.10.2025.pdf
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Photos curtesy of
Philip Bissett & Col Emmanuel Emond |
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