The Dowding Memorial, Moffat

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding was Commander in Chief of RAF Fighter Command in the early part of the war and the Battle of Britain.

A veteran of the First World War where he was a fighter pilot and CO of 16 Squadron, he created the world’s first integrated defence system. Before WW2 he oversaw the introduction of the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters into RAF service, aircraft which became pivotal to success in the coming air war. He also championed the case of radio direction finding (RDF), which became radar.

Dowding’s system of defence included RDF, the Observer Corps, sector operations rooms and finally squadrons of modern fighter aircraft being accurately directed to the incoming enemy aircraft. He was liked and respected by the men of his command, and by his leadership the RAF won the Battle of Britain.

Born in Moffat in 1882, the town has erected a memorial in his honour in Station Park, on the right hand side of the road as you enter the town. Take a few moments to see the memorial and remember this great man.