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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Bomber Command

    Penny Woollard 24 11 2013

    Source: Copyright Penny Woollard 24 11 2013

    1/9

    Current Location

    North west side of park, almost opposite Royal Air Force Club., Green Park, Piccadilly, St James, City Of Westminster, Greater London, W1J 7JZ, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TQ 28567 79887

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-63032

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    Type of Memorial
    Composite
    WMR Reference Number
    63032
    Description
    Central pavilion with coved trellis roof, with wings, within which is a bronze group of a young aircrew: from left to right: Navigator, Flight Engineer, Mid-Upper Gunner, Pilot, Bomb Aimer, Rear Gunner, Wireless Operator. On either side of the colonnaded facade the badges of the RAF (LH) and Bomber Command (RH) are carved in relief. Bronze wreath on stone base to the south of the portico. West on central columns on the south side an RAF badge in relief; to the east a Bomber Command badge, also in relief. Screen wings: to the north of the pavilion are seven free-standing columns, matching the seven aircrew in the sculpture.
    Inscription
    On west side of portico facing inwards: THE FIGHTERS ARE OUR SALVATION BUT THE/ BOMBERS ALONE PROVIDE THE MEANS OF VICTORY/ WINSTON CHURCHILL SEPTEMBER 1940 On centre across the top: THIS MEMORIAL ALSO COMMEMORATES THOSE OF ALL NATIONS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE BOMBING OF 1939-1945 On east side of portico facing inwards: THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO THE 55,573 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 back (north) of base: FREEDOM IS THE SURE POSSESSION OF THOSE ALONE WHO/ HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFEND IT/ PERICLES At front (south) of base: HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II/ UNVEILED THIS MEMORIAL/ 28 JUNE/ IN THE YEAR OF HER DIAMOND JUBILEE/ 2012 Within the wall facing front at left side: THIS STONE WAS LAID BY JOHN CAUDWELL/ PRINCIPAL BENEFACTOR/ OF THIS MEMORIAL/ 8 MARCH 2012. RH badge: PER ARDUA AD ASTRA/ LH badge: BOMBER COMMAND/ ROYAL AIR FORCE/ STRIKE HARD STRIKE SURE/
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Maker(s)
    • LIAM O'CONNOR, Architect

    • Philip Jackson CVO FRBS, Sculptor

    Costs
    £4.8million
    Sponsor Type
    public

    Ceremonies

    Foundation Stone

    8 March 2012

    Local Clergy/Dignitaries

    Unveiled

    28 June 2012

    HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II

    Custodian
    Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

    Components

    Figures

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Arch

    Made from: Stone - Portland


    Condition: Good


    • The Royal Parks: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green-park/things-to-see-and-do/memorials,-fountains-and-statues/bomber-command-memorial
    • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Bomber_Command_Memorial
    • London Remembers: https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/bomber-command-memorial
    • The Times 23 June 2012 p.76 'A fine and fitting design, despite all the controversy' by Marcus Binney, Architecture Correspondent.
    • Daily Express 5th November 2011 Auction of items to raise funds.
    • Fundraising Literature 'Visitors' Guide to the Bomber Command Memorial' Pamphlet
    • Fundraising Literature 'Join the Bomber Command Upkeep Club.' The Club, named after Barnes Wallis's bouncing bomb, seeks 1,000 or more individuals to donate 1,000 pounds or more towards an endowment fund of 1.5m pounds for the upkeep of the memorial.
    • http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8933&mforum=warmemscot
    • Evening Standard 28 June 2012 p10 Bomber veterans brave the heat
    • Evening Standard 7 June 2012 p 23 London's new memorial to Bomber Command: is it right or wrong
    • Hansard 14 May 2009 cols 1182-1192 World War 11: Bomber Command Question for a short debate
    • Royal Airforce Salute - 2012 Bomber Command Tribute to a Gallant Force
    • Evening Standard 25 October 2010 Germany's gift to Bomber Command