Battle of Britain Monument, London facts for kids
A section of the Battle of Britain Monument
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| Location | Victoria Embankment, London, United Kingdom |
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| Designer | Paul Day |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Material | Bronze, granite |
| Width | 25 m (82 ft 0 in) |
| Opening date | 18 September 2005 |
| Dedicated to | Aircrew who flew in the Battle of Britain during the Second World War |
The Battle of Britain Monument in London is a special sculpture located on the Victoria Embankment. It looks out over the River Thames. This monument remembers all the brave people who fought in the Battle of Britain during World War II.
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Remembering Heroes: The Battle of Britain Monument
This monument was officially revealed on September 18, 2005. This date was the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were there for the unveiling. Many of the surviving airmen, known as "The Few", also attended. This event followed a special church service held by the Royal Air Force. Such services happen every year to honor those who served.
How the Monument Was Created
The idea for this monument came from Bill Bond. He founded the Battle of Britain Historical Society. Mr. Bond worked hard to get the perfect spot for the monument in City of Westminster. He also chose the architects, Donald Insall Associates.
He started a committee to raise money for the project. They managed to collect over £250,000 through appeals. The total cost for the monument was about £1.74 million. Most of this money came from private donations. Lord Tebbit helped lead the fundraising efforts.
What the Monument Looks Like
The monument is made of granite and is about 25 meters (82 feet) long. It was originally built as a smoke vent for old underground steam trains. A pathway cuts through the middle of the structure. Along this path, you can see amazing bronze sculptures. These sculptures show scenes from the Battle of Britain.
The main part of the monument is a life-sized sculpture. It shows airmen rushing to their planes during the battle. The outside of the monument has bronze plaques. These plaques list the names of 2,936 pilots and aircrew. These brave individuals came from 14 different countries to fight on the Allied side.
The Sculptor Behind the Art
The artist who created this monument is Paul Day. The bronze statues were cast by Morris Singer. This company is the oldest fine art foundry in the world. They have made many famous statues in London and around the globe. This includes the lions and fountains in Trafalgar Square.
