RAF Bomber Command Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Bomber Command Memorial |
|
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
Sculpture within the memorial
|
|
| For the 55,573 aircrew of RAF Bomber Command who died during the Second World War | |
| Unveiled | 28 June 2012 |
| Location | |
| Designed by | Liam O'Connor (memorial) Philip Jackson (sculpture) |
|
Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it
|
|
The Royal Air Force Bomber Command Memorial is a special place in Green Park, London. It remembers the brave aircrews of RAF Bomber Command who flew important missions during World War Two. This memorial is on the south side of Piccadilly, facing Hyde Park Corner. It was built to honor the sacrifice of 55,573 airmen. These airmen came from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and other allied countries. They gave their lives during the war.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the memorial on June 28, 2012. This was a special year for her, as it was her Diamond Jubilee.
Contents
Why Was This Memorial Built?
The RAF Bomber Command played a very important role in World War Two. Their bombing missions helped to bring the war to an end. However, it took many years after the war for an official memorial to be built for these aircrews.
How the Memorial Was Funded
People worked hard to raise money for the memorial. They needed £5.6 million to build it. Many people donated money to help. Robin Gibb, a famous singer, was a big part of this effort. He worked with Jim Dooley to gather funds and make sure the memorial was built.
Designing the Memorial
Liam O'Connor designed the memorial. It is made from a special kind of stone called Portland stone. Inside, there is a bronze sculpture of seven aircrew members. This sculpture is 9 feet tall. Philip Jackson created the sculpture. It looks like the airmen have just returned from a mission.
A Roof with a Story
The roof of the memorial is very special. It is made from aluminium from a real Royal Canadian Air Force plane. This plane was a Handley Page Halifax from No. 426 Squadron. It crashed in Belgium in May 1944. The plane was found in a swamp in 1997. Some of its metal was used to fix another Halifax plane in Canada. The rest was melted down. This metal was then used for the memorial's roof. The roof's design also reminds people of the structure of the Vickers Wellington bomber plane.
.JPG)
This special aluminium honors the 10,659 Canadian aircrew members who died. They were part of the 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew who lost their lives.
Important Words on the Walls
Inside the memorial, there are important messages. One wall says: This Memorial is dedicated to the 55573 airmen from the United Kingdom British Commonwealth & Allied Nations who served in RAF Bomber Command & lost their lives over the course of the second world war.
On the opposite wall, there is a quote from Winston Churchill, the British prime minister during the war. It says: The fighters are our salvation but the bombers alone provide the means of victory Winston Churchill September 1940.
Behind the statues, another inscription reads: This memorial also commemorates those of all nations who lost their lives in the bombing 1939-1945.
The large base holding the statues has a message about the opening. It says: HM Queen Elisabeth unveiled this monument 28 June in the year of her diamond jubilee.
On the back, there is a quote from Pericles, an ancient Greek leader. It says: Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.
Events Since the Opening
The official opening ceremony in 2012 needed a lot of money. Some veterans even promised their own money to help pay for it.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the memorial on June 28, 2012. She unveiled the bronze sculpture. About 6,000 veterans and family members attended the ceremony. An Avro Lancaster plane, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, flew over Green Park. It dropped red poppy petals during the event.
In May 2013, the memorial was damaged by spray paint.
In March 2015, Les Munro, one of the last surviving members of the famous Dambusters Raid, planned to sell his war medals. He wanted to raise money for the memorial's care. However, he did not need to sell them. Lord Ashcroft donated £75,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund for the memorial's upkeep. Another NZ$19,500 was given by the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. Munro's medals are now displayed there. He passed away in August of that year.
