RAF Chapel
Encyclopedia
At the eastern end of Westminster Abbey
in the magnificent Lady Chapel
built by King Henry VII
is the RAF Chapel dedicated to the men of the Royal Air Force
who died in the Battle of Britain
between July and October 1940.
This chapel received damage from bombs which fell during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and a hole made in the stonework has been preserved and covered with glass. The Tudor glass in the window had also been blown out at the same time.
The Dean of Westminster was approached early in 1943 by Mr. N. Viner-Brady who suggested the idea of a memorial to The Few
and Dean Labilliere
chose this small chapel as one suitable for the purpose.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard
and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
headed a committee to raise funds for the furnishing of this chapel and for a stained glass window, which was unveiled by King George VI on 10 July 1947. Later the ashes of Trenchard and Dowding were interred there.
Subsequently, the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour was placed in the chapel. It contains the names of the 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded during the Battle of Britain
. Illuminated by Daisy Alcock, who was one of the greatest calligraphers of her century, the original work was paid for by Captain Bruce Ingram
. It is paraded annually during the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday.
Originally escorted by 12 Battle of Britain veterans, today the Roll of Honour Escort comprises Battle of Britain Veterans and serving Royal Air Force
Junior Officers from an extant operational Squadron that fought in the Battle of Britain.
Also buried in the RAF Chapel are notable leaders of the RAF, including Trenchard
the founder of the RAF, Dowding of Battle of Britain Fame, and "Bomber" Arthur Harris
, the man who bombed Dresden and other German cities during the second world war.
A tradition has grown that the remaining Battle of Britain veterans and their families hold their own, private service in the Chapel prior to the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday.
on the Sunday closest to Battle of Britain Day
(15 September).
This service has taken place annually since 1943; the first service took place in St Paul's Cathedral
and since has taken place in Westminster Abbey
.
The format of the service has not changed since 1943. The Battle of Britain Roll of Honour is paraded through the abbey. Originally, it was escorted by 12 Battle of Britain veterans; today, the escort is made up of six veterans and six serving Junior Officers in the RAF. The RAF Fighter Command
Silk Ensign
is also carried through the abbey, borne and escorted by serving Junior RAF Officers from an extant Battle of Britain squadron that is currently operational. The Ensign Bearer always wears the Moneypenny Sword.
The service is a ticket-only event, arranged by the Royal Air Force Ceremonial Office. Notices are placed in The Times
and The Daily Telegraph
newspapers in June. Applications can be made in writing to SO3 RAF Ceremonial Events at RAF Northolt
by Former Battle of Britain aircrew, Relatives of Battle of Britain aircrew now deceased (either during the war or since), Past or present members of the RAF or its Reserve forces and Members of the public.
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in the magnificent Lady Chapel
Lady chapel
A Lady chapel, also called Mary chapel or Marian chapel, is a traditional English term for a chapel inside a cathedral, basilica, or large church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary...
built by King Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
is the RAF Chapel dedicated to the men of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
who died in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
between July and October 1940.
This chapel received damage from bombs which fell during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and a hole made in the stonework has been preserved and covered with glass. The Tudor glass in the window had also been blown out at the same time.
The Dean of Westminster was approached early in 1943 by Mr. N. Viner-Brady who suggested the idea of a memorial to The Few
The Few
The Few is a term used to describe the Allied airmen of the Royal Air Force who fought the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. It comes from Winston Churchill's phrase "Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few"....
and Dean Labilliere
Paul de Labilliere
Paul Fulcrand Delacour Labilliere was the second Bishop of Knaresborough from 1934 to 1938; and, subsequently, Dean of Westminster. Born on 22 January 1879 into a legal family he was educated at Harrow and Merton College, Oxford. After taking Holy Orders he became Chaplain to the Bishop of...
chose this small chapel as one suitable for the purpose.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding GCB, GCVO, CMG was a British officer in the Royal Air Force...
headed a committee to raise funds for the furnishing of this chapel and for a stained glass window, which was unveiled by King George VI on 10 July 1947. Later the ashes of Trenchard and Dowding were interred there.
Subsequently, the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour was placed in the chapel. It contains the names of the 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. Illuminated by Daisy Alcock, who was one of the greatest calligraphers of her century, the original work was paid for by Captain Bruce Ingram
Ingram
- Places :* Ingram, Northumberland, England* Ingram, California, community in Mendocino County, California, USA* Ingram, Pennsylvania in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA* Ingram, Texas, city in Kerr County, Texas, USA...
. It is paraded annually during the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday.
Originally escorted by 12 Battle of Britain veterans, today the Roll of Honour Escort comprises Battle of Britain Veterans and serving Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Junior Officers from an extant operational Squadron that fought in the Battle of Britain.
Also buried in the RAF Chapel are notable leaders of the RAF, including Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
the founder of the RAF, Dowding of Battle of Britain Fame, and "Bomber" Arthur Harris
Sir Arthur Harris, 1st Baronet
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet GCB OBE AFC , commonly known as "Bomber" Harris by the press, and often within the RAF as "Butcher" Harris, was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command during the latter half of World War...
, the man who bombed Dresden and other German cities during the second world war.
A tradition has grown that the remaining Battle of Britain veterans and their families hold their own, private service in the Chapel prior to the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday.
Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication
The annual service on Battle of Britain Sunday is held in Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
on the Sunday closest to Battle of Britain Day
Battle of Britain Day
The Battle of Britain Day is the name given to the large-scale aerial battle that took place on 15 September 1940, during the Battle of Britain ....
(15 September).
This service has taken place annually since 1943; the first service took place in St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
and since has taken place in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
The format of the service has not changed since 1943. The Battle of Britain Roll of Honour is paraded through the abbey. Originally, it was escorted by 12 Battle of Britain veterans; today, the escort is made up of six veterans and six serving Junior Officers in the RAF. The RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
Silk Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
is also carried through the abbey, borne and escorted by serving Junior RAF Officers from an extant Battle of Britain squadron that is currently operational. The Ensign Bearer always wears the Moneypenny Sword.
The service is a ticket-only event, arranged by the Royal Air Force Ceremonial Office. Notices are placed in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
and The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
newspapers in June. Applications can be made in writing to SO3 RAF Ceremonial Events at RAF Northolt
RAF Northolt
RAF Northolt is a Royal Air Force station situated in South Ruislip, east by northeast of Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. Approximately north of London Heathrow Airport, the station also handles a large number of private civil flights...
by Former Battle of Britain aircrew, Relatives of Battle of Britain aircrew now deceased (either during the war or since), Past or present members of the RAF or its Reserve forces and Members of the public.