Keith Park Retirement Village

Each Ryman village is named in honour of a Kiwi or Aussie trailblazer: Anthony Wilding, Lady Diana Isaac, Evelyn Page. They pushed further and set the bar high for others to aspire to. In creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, Ryman villages are also setting the bar high. They’re demonstrating that a retirement lifestyle brimming with new experiences, connections and fulfilment is something we should aspire to. Our Kiwi and Aussie namesakes represent the measure of inspiration, while Ryman villages represent the measure of retirement living.

Sir Keith Park (1892-1975)

Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith “Skipper” Park GCB, KBE, MC, DFC, DCL is New Zealand’s most celebrated aviator. Best known for his role protecting London during the Battle of Britain, Park was a skilled pilot, admired leader, and acute strategist.

The Kiwi enlisted to fight for New Zealand in WWI before transferring to the British Army where he gained invaluable tactical experience. Wounded twice in the Battle of the Somme, he was declared unfit for army service.

But Park hounded the medical board for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps instead of being sent home. A talented pilot, he was 48 Squadron’s highest scorer, earning a Military Cross and Bar and Croix de Guerre.
Park continued to excel between the wars and by the time WWII broke out he was Air Vice Marshall.

As commander of Fighter Group 11, he was responsible for defensive air cover during the withdrawal of Dunkirk and the defence of London and Southeast England during the Battle of Britain. A sharp strategist, his day-to-day direction of the battle earned him significant recognition and accolades. And his empathetic style of leadership earned him the admiration and respect of his men.

Lord Tedder who headed up the RAF said, “If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country but the world”. He continued to achieve remarkable results throughout the war and was promoted to Allied Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southeast Asia.

Park returned to New Zealand after the war where he served three terms as an Auckland City Councillor, driving the government acquisition of land for the Auckland International Airport. Park and his wife ‘Dol’ were formidable fundraisers. They worked with the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, the New Zealand Epilepsy Association, and the King George V Children’s Health Camp in Pakuranga.

Park has many important namesakes including a statue of him in London’s Waterloo Place that honours Park and the Commonwealth’s air fighters. It’s engraved with the words ’Defender of London’.

Park: The Biography of Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park GCB, KBE, MC, DFC, DCL by Vincent Orange covers the career of this brilliant strategist and his significant contribution to victory and peace.