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Jean Maridor - WW2 hero

Jean Maridor
Jean Maridor

On August 3, 1944, at 12.30pm, Captain Jean Maridor of the RAF 91st Squadron took off on his last mission. Flying over the coast at Rye, he spotted a V1 flying bomb and set about the chase in his Spitfire and although he made repeated attempts to shoot it down he was unable to ground it. As the V1 made its way north he realised that the apparent trajectory of the V1 was Benenden School - a war time hospital sporting a large red cross on the roof. Captain Maridor made another attempt to bring the 'buzz bomb' down without success.

Realising the consequence to the hospital and the village of the V1 landing and exploding and with little regard for his own safety Captain Maridor closed in to the flying bomb. With less than fifty metres between his Spitfire and the V1 he let off a final salvo with teh canon.

The gigantic explosion tore off the right wing and the Spitfire plummeted to the ground. Captain Maridor's remains were found close by the hospital surrounded by the aircraft's wreckage.

Benenden residents of the time vowed would never forget the bravery of the 23 year old French flyer Captain Jean Maridor DFC who died in action 3rd August 1944 to save their village

The Jean Maridor memorial in Benenden Church
The Jean Maridor memorial in Benenden Church

Information and picture sourced with thanks from http://www.jean-maridor.org and http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/647.html

Jean MARIDOR, chasseur de V1

Events

Iden Green and Benenden WI

Tue 18th Feb, 2pm

Delia Taylor's Memories of Desert Island
Click for details

Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company - NOW

Sat 22nd Feb, 7pm

Latest creation by choreographer Jasmin
Click for details

Bingo at St George's Club

Sat 22nd Feb, 8:15pm

Come and enjoy an evening with friends
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Mobile Library in Benenden village

Tue 25th Feb, 10am

Pick up the fortnight's reading
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Mobile Library at the hospital

Tue 25th Feb, 10:40am

Pick up the fortnight's reading
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Merry and Bright Club

Tue 25th Feb, 2pm

Lauren Smith: Living with Disability
Click for details

Benenden Symphony Orchestra Film Music - Free concert

Fri 28th Feb, 7:30pm

Music from Dambusters, Gladiator, James
Click for details

In Conversation with Davina McCall

Sat 8th Mar, 5pm

Celebrating International Women’s Day
Click for details

Benjamin Grosvenor - Pianist

Sun 16th Mar, 3pm

Sonorous lyricism & keyboard brilliance
Click for details

Sixth Form Music Scholars’ Concert

Fri 21st Mar, 1:30pm

Free Concert
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Sixth Form Music Scholars’ Concert

Fri 21st Mar, 1:30pm

Free Concert - open to all
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See full list of events