R.A.F. Chapel Battle of Britain Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey received bomb damage during the Second World War and the windows in this chapel were destroyed and holes in the wall from shrapnel damage have been covered with glass and are still visible.
This small chapel dedicated to the men of the Royal Air Force who died in the Battle of Britain in 1940 was suggested in 1943 and Lord Trenchard (Marshal of the RAF) and Lord Downing (Head of Fighter Command 1940) headed the committee to raise funds. to furnish the chapel and replace the window. The chapel was unveiled on 10 July 1947 by King George VI.
The new stained glass window contains the badges of the squadrons that took part in Battle together with the furled flags of New Zealand, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium and USA. The badges of the RAF and Fleet Air Arm are also included. 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' from Shakespeare's Henry V are inscribed on the bottom panels.
in 1989 the names of six RAF war leaders were added. William Sholto Douglas, Hugh Dowding, Arthur Harris, Cyril Newall, Charles Portal and Arthur Tedder.
Trenchard and Downing are buried in this chapel

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Source

• Text: Westminster Abbey/ Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward