On the night of 10th May 1941, the Church received a direct hit from an incendiary bomb. All that remained were the outer walls and the tower. At the end of the War it was suggested that the RAF be allowed to rebuild and restore the Church as its own. An appeal was launched and support came not only from within the RAF, but also from Air Forces throughout the World. Eventually, in 1958, the Church was re-consecrated as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
Outside the Church are statues of Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding (unveiled by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 30th October 1988) and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur ('Bomber') Harris (unveiled by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 31st May 1992). Inside the Church, set into the floor of the centre and side aisles, are nearly 900 Squadron and Unit badges (made of Welsh slate). Set into the floor of the West aisle is a Memorial to the Polish Squadrons which flew with the RAF in WW2. Around the Upper Gallery are the flags of 43 Colours and Standards of the RAF.
There are 10 Memorial Books on display, containing the names of over 150,000 men and women who have died while serving in the RAF, from 1915 up to the present. There is also a separate memorial Book containing the names of some 16,000 American Air Force personnel, who died whilst based in the UK.
On the hour, the Church Bells ring out that well known Nursery Rhyme: 'Oranges and lemons say the Bells of St Clements.......'.
Here are some pics which i took:
Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding:
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur ('Bomber') Harris:
St Clement Danes Church:
The Memorial to the Polish Squadrons which flew with the RAF:
For more information visit:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/stclementdanes/
PW
