Known to many as “the man with a Spitfire in his garden,” former GP Hamish MacLeod is the leading light behind the annual Dowding Commemoration which takes place in Moffat on Sunday.
The event remembers the vital part the “Architect of Deliverance”, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, played 79 years ago in thwarting Hitler’s invasion plans during World War Two.
Although outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, 3,000 pilots fought and won for Britain.
They earned the praise of Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill with his immortal words: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Dr MacLeod, who is a former RAF pilot officer, told the Standard it’s important to keep the annual commemoration event going in Moffat.
He said: “Churchill described Lord Dowding at his funeral as the Architect of Deliverance thus belatedly recognising that the contribution to the freedom we live in today was in many ways due to Dowding’s foresight in developing RDF – which became radar – among other achievements.”
Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding was born in the town on April 28, 1882, at the former St Ninian’s School.
He went on to lead RAF Fighter Command into the decisive air campaign against the German Luftwaffe known as The Battle of Britain.
Dr MacLeod is also a former teacher at St Ninian’s School which is now known as Dowding House and is a sheltered housing development, owned by the Royal Air Forces Association, and exclusively for the use of ex-RAF personnel.
And that is why is he is gifting his own life-size replica of a Spitfire to the facility which he regards as “the best and most appropriate place for a memorial to Dowding”.
Dr MacLeod, who has a passion for Spitfires, said: “It’s the most fabulous looking aircraft ever – hugely beautiful. I feel a massive love for the aircraft and to have this copy of one I actually flew is so special.”
Sundays’ service in Moffat’s Station Park marks the 82nd anniversary of Dowding’s leadership role in the successful defence of the skies over Britain, and is open to the public.
At around 2.25pm, weather permitting, a Spitfire from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will make several passes over Station Park and the town.
This year, it is expected to be a Mk Vb Spitfire flown by BBMF fighter pilot Flight Lieutenant Andy Preece MBE, based at RAF Coningsby. This aircraft, AB 910, did 143 sorties during the Second World War.
At 2.30pm, Dumfries Town Band will perform ahead of a welcome by Councillor Archie Dryburgh and an introduction from retired RAF Air Commodore Bryan Collins, before the service conducted by the Reverend Elsie Macrae.
Air Marshal Sir Baz North, President of the Royal Air Forces Association, will deliver the tribute and the Moffat Singers will perform I To The Hills Will Lift Mine Eyes.
Dowding’s recorded voice from a BBC radio broadcast in September 1946 will be played to the guests and public at the event.
Guests are expected to include representatives from the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
There will be a retiring collection in aid of RAFA Scotland.
