National Spitfire Project to Honour Southampton Wartime Workers This VE Day, the National Spitfire Project highlights the extraordinary contributions of Southampton workers who built the aircraft that played a decisive role in winning the Second World War.
While pilots in the skies became household names, thousands of ordinary workers in Southampton—many of them women—laboured day and night in challenging and dangerous conditions to construct the Spitfire, a machine that proved decisive in securing Allied victory.
John Hannides, Chair of Trustees for the National Spitfire Project, said:
“The Spitfire’s story is not just about those who flew it, but about the thousands of men and women who made it possible here in Southampton. On this VE Day, we remember their courage, skill, and dedication. The National Spitfire Monument will ensure their efforts are never forgotten and will inspire future generations to understand the ingenuity and resilience that defined this city.”
The National Spitfire Project, led by a charitable trust, aims to construct a striking monument on Southampton’s waterfront, blending public art, education, and heritage. Beyond commemorating the past, the project will inspire young people through STEM education, storytelling, and civic pride.
VE Day remains a time of solemn reflection and national gratitude. The National Spitfire Project will stand as a lasting tribute to Southampton’s vital role in history and the extraordinary efforts of its wartime workforce.