About Us – Our History

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Memorial Trust

In 2002, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Memorial Trust was established as a registered charity by 4 former auxiliaries (1) with the objective of providing a Memorial dedicated to all those who had served in the Auxiliary Air Force and its successor, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire was the chosen location, and, on 25th September 2004, the Memorial was dedicated in the presence of HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

(1) Group Captain Richard Mighall, Wing Commander Charles Hyde, Squadron Leaders Bruce Blanche and Tony Freeman.

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation

Whilst undertaking the Memorial project, it became evident to the Trustees that, notwithstanding the Force’s distinguished past, there were many other aspects of its history, achievements, traditions and organisation which had not received the exposure or recognition which they deserved. The Trustees felt that this shortcoming needed to be rectified and that the Trust could be a prime facilitator.  However, as the task embraced a much wider remit of activity than the Trust’s title indicated, it was considered that it would be more appropriate to rename the Trust the ‘Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation’ – a title ratified with the Charity Commission in 2010.

Since its formation, the Foundation has planned and overseen the installation of a Force Roll of Honour at the Church of St Clement Danes (2012), the introduction of this website (2013), the replacement of the aforementioned Force Memorial at Alrewas (2014) and the preparation and installation of a Force pictorial display at Bentley Priory (2014). In 2024, the Foundation organised 3 high-profile events commemorating the Centenary of the founding of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

The Foundation was honoured when The Duke of Gloucester became its Patron in February 2012.