The Gate Guardian Story

The Gate Guardians at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance, Biggin Hill

RAF Biggin Hill was and still is unusual for many reasons but to have two Gate Guardians in front of St George’s RAF Chapel is really unusual for an RAF Station.

The Spitfire and Hurricane replicas standing on guard today in 2020, were purpose made and installed in 2010. They replaced 2 replica aircraft, believed to have come from a film set, and arrived in the late 80s, replacing two real aircraft which, as the need for spares and original aircraft increased, had gradually become very valuable!

The replica Hurricane and Spitfire, with markings of 79 and 92 Squadrons respectively, were refurbished in 1999 and 2000, by money raised by the Chapel Council as the Royal Air Force owned the replicas but did not maintain them. Within a few years it was realised, that although the paintwork was good, they were deteriorating internally. They had not been constructed for an outdoor life on top of the hill and that any further refurbishing work would be a waste of money. It was also thought that if purpose built Gate Guardians weren’t installed fairly soon that resources and interested people would not be around to do so in the future. What followed, was several years of chasing for permission to replace them. No one would make a decision and the buck was passed on and on, even to the point of a letter arriving, asking for their engine and frame numbers!

Eventually permission was obtained. Fund raising was already underway in anticipation. A national appeal was launched and £47,000 was raised by the Friends of St George’s Chapel. A yachting firm in Norfolk, with much experience in producing replica aircraft, was chosen. It had held the quote for us for 4 years.

In the summer of 2010, the present Gate Guardians, exact full sized replicas of a Spitfire and a Hurricane arrived in beautiful sunshine, in time for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Much research went into choosing the markings, with local contacts, Air Historical Branch at RAF Northolt, and visits to Kew Records Office. At first it was decided to match an aircraft from 79 and 92 Squadron with a pilot on the reredos, but it became impossible to choose. All the pilots were very worthy of public recognition as each name is shorthand for a story of a life that was taken away, serving their country. After much discussion, it was decided that as the name Biggin Hill was synonymous with the Battle of Britain, the criteria should be narrowed down to an aircraft and its pilot (who survived the war), who flew from Biggin Hill airfield during the Battle. Two fighter pilots were chosen - Peter Brothers and Geoffrey Wellum.

The Hurricane P2921 GZ-L represents an aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Peter Brothers of 32 Sqn. People may comment on the lack of roundels on the underwing of the Hurricane. Some aircraft had roundels, some did not. 32 Sqn at Biggin Hill did not have roundels on the underwing. The Blue Peter flag by the cockpit, was Pete Brother’s call sign - Blue Peter which means “Ready to go” copying the Navy flag meaning “Ready to Sail”. Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC and Bar died in December 2008

The Spitfire K9998 QJ-K represents an aircraft flown by Pilot Officer Geoffrey Wellum of 92 Sqn. He was the youngest fighter pilot at 18 years old in WWll. He wrote the book “First Light” recounting his experiences. Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC died in August 2018.

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