Visit from son of Flight Lieutenant Bill Miller DFC
4th October 2025
We had a lovely visit on Saturday. Paul Miller and his wife were over on holiday from New Zealand. Paul is the son of Flight Lieutenant Bill Miller DFC.
The Shoreham Museum excavated his aircraft way back in 1994 when Bill was in the UK on holiday and was present at the dig!
In 1944 Bill was racing to intercept a Doodlebug together with a Spitfire and suddenly found himself within the local Anti Aircraft gun barrage. His Hawker Tempest was hit by friendly fire, and Bill had to bail out but found he was trapped, half in / half out of the cockpit. He finally managed to extricate himself and his parachute opened just in time.
His logbook records:
Engine failed - bailed out near Horsmunden at 22.45 hrs
Bill eventually accounted for the destruction of 7 V1 Flying Bombs.
Paul Miller, in front of his Father's museum displayF/L Bill Miller (far right), 486 Squadron
Crash site on the Anderson Shelter between Ann Street and Robert Street, Plumstead, SE18Oberleutnant Walter Binder's Swim Vest on display at our Museum
Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell Memorial, London 15th September 2025
Our original appeal for information earlier this year regarding the Messerschmitt 109 crash in London on August 31st 1940 received a fantastic response. Thank you to everyone that helped. At the museum we thought it would be nice to arrange a memorial for Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell who sadly died 2 weeks after the crash after being severely injured by the falling aircraft. She was only 51.
On Monday, 15th September 2025 (Battle of Britain Day) a memorial was held at Emily's resting place, Plumstead Cemetery SE18 in London. In attendance were her two Granddaughters, Jane and Liz, and family members. The service was held by Deacon David Daly. A Superb cross with an inscription was made by a friend of Geoff to mark the occasion.
We received the following lovely thank you from Jane, one of Emily's Granddaughters:
Dear Geoff,
Yesterday was truly amazing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you did for Emily and all of us. We can't get over the trouble you took: hunting down Emily's resting place; clearing it; having the cross and inscription made; finding someone to officiate; tracking us down; and hosting a fabulous buffet at the museum after the ceremony. I kept being told it was team work - well gosh what a team you have round you! All your volunteers were delightful and we all learned so much and had a really great time being shown through your museum.
Liz and I didn't take many photos yesterday but I attach what we did take. We are very grateful to you for sending yours. There are some lovely pictures there. Thank you so much.
Thank you to everyone involved with the memorial. Emily will not be forgotten.
Our original appeal for information can be seen below:
Appeal for Information
August 31st, 1940 Messerschmitt 109 crash, Plumstead, London
Geoff Nutkins, Curator of our museum, would love to hear from anyone who has any details of this incident, or maybe even witnessed it:
For me this all started back in the day when you were obliged to wear your Sunday best clothes at the dinner table after visiting Nan on a Sunday. My Dad (Warrant Officer Frank Nutkins) would inevitably recall the events of August 31st 1940. He lived in Plumstead in those days and along with his chum Den Smith witnessed the air battles high above Plumstead SE18. He would recall as he moved the bottle of Tizer around the table how suddenly a Messerschmitt 109 lost its wing as it collided with a barrage balloon cable and span to the ground crashing between Ann Street and Robert Street.
Of course Dad and Den wasted no time in racing to the location to see if they could get a souvenir each! The German pilot, Oberleutnant Walter Binder of 3JG3, died in his aircraft, and Dad managed to obtain a wing tip for a contribution to the Spitfire Fund! Sadly, my Nan threw Dad's prize away, something he loved to mention to me, probably a million times, or more when he was called up! But this story more than any other was what started our museum off! Little did Dad realise that one day in our museum here in Shoreham he would shake hands with the victorious pilot, Sgt Jack Stokoe. The last time he had seen him he was a vapour trail high above Plumstead.
Sgt Jack Stokoe
There sadly was another victim that fateful day: Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell, having heard the sirens wailing, took cover in the family Anderson shelter only to be severely injured by the falling aircraft. She was only 51, and died of her injuries 2 weeks later. Emily should be remembered as she has almost passed into history unnoticed. We have now found where she is at rest and plan to pay our respects by laying a wreath there from the museum.
Oberleutnant Walter Binder's swim vest can be seen on display in our museum (see picture).
So, if anyone wants to visit us at Shoreham (near Sevenoaks, Kent), we would be delighted to see you and show you around.
Geoff Nutkins
Curator, Shoreham Aircraft Museum
The Museum in the News
In August 2022 the museum appeared on an ITV News report regarding our Local RAF Memorials Project for remembering pilots who died within a ten mile radius of Shoreham.
The report is titled Roadside memorials in Kent honour Battle of Britain pilots near where they fell
In 2006 the museum decided to erect permanent memorials to Battle of Britain pilots who lost their lives within a 10 mile radius of Shoreham. Three memorials have also been arranged a little further afield. The project is ambitious and expensive, so we rely heavily upon volunteers and fundraising. If you can help, please get in touch.
The latest (twelfth) memorial sevice took place on Friday 22nd March 2024 in Stansted Village, Kent.
The memorial stone is dedicated to P/O Colin Francis of 253 Squadron, who lost his life on 30th August 1940.
Despite the rain, the memorial was well attended and included moving speeches from Air Commodore (ret) Rick Peacock-Edwards and Air Vice Marshal (ret) David Hobart.
Photos and a video of the memorial service are available to view.
