Battle of Britain Roll of Honour published by The Illustrated London News

The brainchild of Sir Brice Ingram MC (1887-1963) who planned, organised and funded the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour to commemorate the allied losses in the Battle of Britain. Ingram had a distinguished service record in WWI initially joining the East Kent Yeomanry then transferring to the Royal Garrison Artillery. He rose to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in 1917 and was three times Mentioned in Dispatches. He was the editor of The Illustrated London News from 1900 until his death in 1963. The concept of a memorial was considered as early as 1942 and Ingram suggested that the Battle of Britain was of such importance to the history of the country that it stood comparison with such epic victories as the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Battle of Trafalgar. The original is now held in the RAF Memorial Chapel in Westminster Abbey and was illuminated by Daisy Alcock. It contains the names of l, 497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded during the Battle, of which 449 were in Fighter Command, 732 in Bomber Command, 268 in Coastal Command, 14 in other RAF commands and 34 in the Fleet Air Arm. The names include those of 47 Canadians, 47 New Zealanders, 35 Poles, 24 Australians, 20 Czechoslovaks, 17 South Africans, 6 Belgians and one American, as well as those from the United Kingdom and Colonies. Our framed and glazed example shows the title page published in the Illustrated London news on January 18th 1947. The colours are still strong although the paper shows evidence of minor damage as well as creases caused by folding prior to it being professionally farmed by the late Chris John from whom it was purchased. Below the image is a little background to the reasons why the scroll was produced in Bruce Ingram's own words. We have no idea as to how many of these still survive but it is the first one we have been able to procure and it would be a worthwhile and emotive addition to a Battle of Britain related display. Frame measures 21" x 15" (53 cm x 38 cm)