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Notes
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A memorial to the Polish Airmen who served with the RAF during the Second World War, extended in 1996. The memorial site has a bell-shaped plan, comprising a pillar with plinths to either side, fronted by a trapezoid ornamental pool surrounded by a paved walkway leading to a sunken semi-circular walkway to the rear, flanked by curved walls. The memorial also features a cast bronze eagle, lettering and a number of bronze plaques. It is set within a slightly raised landscaped area with grass, flower beds and flagpoles bearing the flags of Great Britain and Poland. The site is enclosed by cast iron railings with Portland stone gate piers with bronze plaques to the front. The central pillar is surmounted by a cast bronze eagle with outstretched wings: the emblem of the Polish Air Force.
Title
Polish War Memorial
Date
1948
Medium
Portland stone, York stone, polished granite & bronze
Accession number
HA4_PMB_S003
Acquisition method
commissioned by the Polish Air Force Association
Work type
War memorial
Owner
Hillingdon London Borough Council
Custodian
Hillingdon London Borough Council
Listing status
Grade II* (England and Wales)
Unveiling date
2nd November 1948
Listing date
08/09/20
Access
at all times
Inscription description
immediately below the eagle a square stone panel bears the dates 1940 and 1945 in incised bronze lettering; the front face of the pillar bears the numbers and names of each of the fighter and bomber squadrons that served in the war, followed by the battles they participated in, all in incised bronze lettering: POLISH AIR FORCE / FIGHTER SQDNS / 302 / CITY OF POZNAN / 303 / KOSCIUSZKO / 306 / CITY OF TORUN / 307 / CITY OF LWOW / 308 / CITY OF KRAKOW / 309 / OF PROVINCE / ZIEMIA CZERWIENSKA / 315 / OF DEBLIN / 316 / CITY OF WARSZAWA / 317 / CITY OF WILNO / 318 / CITY OF GDANSK / BOMBER SQDNS / 300 / OF PROVINCE / ZIEMIA MAZOWIECKA / 301 / OF PROVINCE / ZIEMIA POMORSKA / 304 / OF PROVINCE / ZIEMIA SLASKA / 305 / OF PROVINCE / ZIEMIA WIELKOPOLSKA / BATTLE OF BRITAIN / BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC / DIEPPE / WESTERN DESERT / ITALY / FRANCE / BELGIUM / HOLLAND / GERMANY.; the central pillar is flanked by rectangular plinths, the one to the left bearing the inscription in bronze lettering: TO THE MEMORY OF / FALLEN POLISH AIRMEN, and to the right in Polish: POLEGLYM / LOTNIKOM POLSKIM.; these plinths unite in a single façade to the rear of the pillar and bear another inscription: I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, / I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH / - II TIM. IV. 7.