The Royal Air Force (RAF) Memorial in London is a tribute to the personnel of the Royal Air Force who died in World War I and World War II. Located on the Victoria Embankment, near the River Thames, it is a significant landmark in London.
The memorial was commissioned to honor the airmen of the Royal Air Force who lost their lives during World War I. It was later rededicated to include those who died in World War II. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, a renowned architect, the memorial features a globe on a plinth, with an eagle in bronze perching on top, symbolizing the RAF's reach and dominance in the air. It was unveiled on 16 July 1923 by the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII.
The inscriptions on the memorial include the names of RAF personnel who died in the two world wars. It also bears the inscription: "Per Ardua ad Astra," the RAF's motto, which means "Through Adversity to the Stars." After World War II, the memorial was rededicated to honor those who died in the second conflict.
The memorial is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). It serves as a site for annual remembrance services, including those on Remembrance Sunday and the Battle of Britain Sunday.
The Royal Air Force Memorial stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the RAF personnel, playing a significant role in the collective memory and heritage of the...
Read moreThe Royal Air Force Memorial is a military memorialon the Victoria Embankment in central London, dedicated to the memory of the casualties of the Royal Air Force in World War I (and, by extension, all subsequent conflicts). Unveiled in 1923, it became a Grade II listed structure in 1958, and was upgraded to Grade II* in 2018. It is considered to be the official memorial of the RAF and related services. Royal Air Force MemorialGreat BritainFor RAF personnel killed in the two world warsUnveiled1923; 96 years agoLocation
London, WC2 United Kingdom
Designed bySir Reginald Blomfield(monument), William Reid Dick (eagle)
Inscriptions include: "Per ardua ad astra" and "I bare you on eagles wings and brought you unto myself" (Exodus 19:4)
It is sited at Whitehall Steps, near Cleopatra's Needle, between the north-bank ends of Charing Cross Bridgeand Westminster Bridge, and directly to the east of the main Ministry of Defence building on Whitehall. The Fleet Air Arm Memorial and the Battle of Britain...
Read moreStanding on the edge of the Victoria Embankment looking out over the River Thames is the Royal Air Force Memorial, erected in 1923 to commemorate the men and women who fought with the RAF during WWI. The memorial was later adapted to remember RAF members who fought in the Second World War.
The aftermath of WWI saw a surge in military memorial buildings across Britain. It seemed an obvious step to erect a monument to those who served with the Royal Air Force during the conflict.
The memorial comprises a Portland stone plinth topped with a gilt bronze eagle and darkly...
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