National Memorial to the R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces
London, England
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The National Memorial to the R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces of the 1st World War was unveiled and dedicated on 13 July 1923. It is located on the banks of the River Thames adjacent to where subsequently the Ministry of Defence was built. The first RAF Memorial Committee set up in 1919 considered many options for acknowledging the sacrifice of men of the RFC, RNAS and then RAF and the allied air forces before Sir Reginald Blomfield was appointed architect with Mr. William R. Dick as the sculptor of the authorized design.

A great rectangular column of Portland Stone rises from a plinth upon which is inscribed the motto of the RAF - per ardua ad astra (through hardship/endeavour to the skies). At the top of the column is a heavily patinated globe clutched by a bronze  eagle of gold (the symbol of the RAF) with outstretched wings as if on the point of flying.

 

The National Memorial to the R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces with the Ministry of Defense seen in the background. The inscription reads: 1914-1918 In Perpetual Memory 1939-1945.


Close-up of the eagle atop the National Memorial to the R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces.

 

Close-up of the eagle atop the National Memorial to the R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces.

 

Close-up of he inscription facing the Ministry of Defense.

(All photos and text courtesy of Robert Edmonds)
© Robert Edmonds all rights reserved

 



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Page published Nov. 22, 2009