Remembering the heroes of Bomber Command

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is proud to be working with the Bomber Command Association towards the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial on June 28 2012.

The omission of a memorial in London to the staggering number of 55,573 aircrew who died serving with Bomber Command in the Second World War has long been a source of disappointment to surviving veterans, and the families of those who served.

In 2008, a campaign for such a memorial was reinvigorated with the backing of the Bomber Command Association, the Heritage Foundation and supporters from entertainment, the media and the RAF.

Construction of the memorial in London’s Green Park, is almost complete. Designed by architect Liam O’Connor, who previously designed the Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire, the memorial features at its centrepiece a nine foot high bronze sculpture depicting a seven man bomber crew returning to base after operations.

The RAF Benevolent Fund will take guardianship of the memorial from 28 June 2012.

We have agreed to maintain it for future generations to come, ensuring the sacrifice made by these brave men in defence of our freedom is never forgotten.

Bomber Command Association Chairman, Malcolm White, said: "Without the incredible support of the public and of the RAF Benevolent Fund in taking guardianship of the memorial, the memorial would not have been built and we would not be eight weeks away from its completion. We can not thank them enough for their support."

RAF Benevolent Fund Controller, Sir Rob Wright, said: "It is a great honour for us to become custodians of the memorial, a lasting monument to these incredibly brave men, who showed astonishing courage in the most terrifying conditions. They are more than deserving of this permanent memorial and we are proud to maintain it in their honour."