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
Information and picture sourced with thanks from http://www.jean-maridor.org and http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/647.html
Events
During Coronavirus period please check with organiser
Drop off items for Benenden Church Fete
Mon 18th Apr to Thu 16th Jun, 12pm
Clothes, books, bric-a-brac, toys, etc.
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Queen's Platinum Jubilee - Celebration of a life in service
Thu 2nd Jun, 8:30pm
For everyone .....
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Queen's Platinum Jubilee - Lighting the village beacon
Thu 2nd Jun, 9:30pm
Lighting up at 9.45pm
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Queen's Platinum Jubilee-A 'right royal' variety performance
Sat 4th Jun, 7:30pm
Sketches, songs and singalong
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Queen's Platinum Jubilee - Village sharing lunch
Sun 5th Jun, 12:15pm
Opportunity for village to get together
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Right Royal Jubilee Quiz at St George's Club
Sat 18th Jun, 8pm
Come and try your luck
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