Air Chief Marshall, Sir Keith Park

Set on an inscribed granite plinth within the 19th century cast-iron railings of Waterloo Gardens, the 9ft. bronze statue by sculptor Les Johnson shows New Zealander Sir Keith Park in full flying gear, drawing on his gloves in readiness for action and facing eastwards, the direction from which the Luftwaffe attacked London. The site, next to the Athenaeum and in the shadow of New Zealand House, was suggested by Westminster City Council’s Commissioner for Transportation, Martin Low, with the aim of completing the symmetrical arrangement set by the five existing statues either side of Waterloo Place.