CWGC: Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey, England

Image above - © Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence. Geograph

The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 airmen who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth. Some were from countries in continental Europe which had been overrun but whose airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.

The memorial was designed by Sir Edward Maufe with sculpture by Vernon Hill. The engraved glass and painted ceilings were designed by John Hutton and the poem engraved on the gallery window was written by Paul H Scott. The Memorial was unveiled by The Queen on 17 October 1953.

Victoria Cross Recipient

• Wing Commander John Dering Nettleton, VC. 44 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 13th July 1943, aged 26. Panel 118.

Sources

• CWGC
• World War 2 Cemeteries

Image Above - Air Forces memorial: colonnade - The columns are engraved with the names of thousands of war dead of the air forces of the Commonwealth. © Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence. Geograph