Royal Air Force Memorial

The Royal Air Force Memorial stands on the Victoria Embankment in central London, beside the Thames near Cleopatra’s Needle. It occupies a prominent spot between the ends of Charing Cross Bridge and Westminster Bridge, close to the Ministry of Defence. The memorial was raised to honour those who died serving in the Royal Air Force during the First World War and later conflicts. Unveiled in 1923 by the Prince of Wales, it became a Grade II listed structure in 1958 and was upgraded to Grade II* in 2018. Nearby are the Fleet Air Arm Memorial and the Battle of Britain Monument. The memorial was organised by a committee led by Lord Hugh Cecil and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard. Funds came from the RAF Memorial Fund, later known as the RAF Benevolent Fund. The design by Sir Reginald Blomfield uses a tall Portland stone pylon topped with a zodiacal globe and a gilded eagle from the RAF badge. The eagle, sculpted by William Reid Dick, faces east towards the river and nominally towards France. Inscribed on the pylon are the RAF motto words ‘Per ardua ad astra’ and dedications to air forces from across the British Empire who served in both world wars. Visitors find a tapering stone column rising above the Embankment path. The pylon’s sides carry inscriptions in gold lettering, including a long dedication to all ranks of the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. A quotation from Exodus and another from the Second World War appear on the lower panels. The river-facing side bears the dates of the two world wars in perpetual memory. The setting offers views along the Thames towards the Ministry of Defence and the nearby monuments.