RAF Chapel
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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.
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.
[edit] Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication
The annual service on Battle of Britain Sunday is held in Westminster Abbey 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 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 Ceremonial at RAF Bentley Priory.
