Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorin
Please, don't get me wrong, but what exactly did he do to set him apart from all the other RAF pilots? Or do all RAF pilots get a plaque?
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First off, this plaque is not something set-up or arranged by any authority or body. No public institution has had anything to do with this whatsoever. In fact, English Heritage turned down my application for an 'official' blue plaque because Brian's connection with London was, in their opinion, only slight. Go figure ... he grew up in London from the age of 7, he went to school in London, worked in London before the war and fought in the skies over London. No, this plaque has been entirely conceived by me. I live in Pinner which is where Brian lived. I discovered this when reading
Spitfire!. I felt I wanted to do something to honour his memory. Brian is not unique in his bravery, skill and leadership, but he lived in my local area and I am inspired by him and wanted to do something permanent in his memory. He
is unique though in that the photo of him is iconic and unique. He is also different from most other RAF pilots in that he wrote a contemporaneous account of life as a front line Spitfire pilot. He gave us a vivid first hand insight into this important part of our history, written while he was doing it. There is nothing stopping anyone else doing what I am doing, but the fact that the majority of RAF pilots do not have a plaque doesn't mean Brian Lane doesn't deserve one.
PPP
08-19-2011, 11:30 AM
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