Runnymede Air Forces Memorial Overlooking the River Thames on Cooper’s Hill in Runnymede, Surrey, is Runnymede Memorial, sometimes known as the Air Forces Memorial. The memorial commemorates more than 20,000 airmen and women who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe who have no known grave. They came from all parts of the Commonwealth and served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands. 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 commemorates the men and women of the air forces of the Commonwealth, who were lost in air and other operations over western Europe during the Second World War
- Designed by Sir Edward Maufe, it is made of Portland stone and consists of a shrine embraced by a cloister
- The shrine is adorned with three stone figures by Vernon Hill representing Justice, Victory and Courage
- 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 on 17 October 1953 by Queen Elizabeth II
TASK
At the memorial find a fallen airman of your choice. Include a picture of you or your GPS pointing at their name etched in the memorial. As an optional extra add some detail of their service in your log. You can use the Runnymede Memorial website to find a fallen soldier’s service information.
QUESTIONS - (See waypoints)
- West Lookout: Look above the Northern window. Name the Air Force and the Flight Lieutenant?
- The register room, west of the Shrine, find the key. This key was presented to Her Majesty The Queen, which 4 signatures can be seen in the register on this day?
- Walk through the door into the shrine. How many angels do you see in the room? Look carefully
- East Lookout: Look north, which Air Force can you see?
Additional, Optional Questions, weather/ability dependent.
I highly recommend going up if you can
- From the roof terrace what landmark can you see to the NE?
- From the roof terrace what Landmark can you see to the NW?
OPENING TIMES
Opening hours from 1 November to 31 March on weekdays are 09.00 - 16.00 or dusk whichever is sooner, and on weekends and public holidays 10.00 - 16.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner. From 1 April to 31 October, opening hours on weekdays are 09.00 - 18.00 or dusk whichever is sooner, and on weekends and public holidays 10.00 - 18.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner. The memorial is open to the public every day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Entry is free. No dogs.
To claim this virtual cache you must email or message me your answers. Please include a photo with your log pointing towards your chosen fallen solider, if possible add an interesting fact about them written in your log. Any logs which do not meet the logging requirements will be deleted without warning.
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The series is dedicated to those who fought for their country. "We will remember them!”
If anyone would like to place a War Memorial Cache of your own then please do so. We would ask if you do so please contact Just-us-Two through their profile page or justustwo1013@gmail.com
so they can keep track of the numbers
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*****PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT *****
****PHYSICAL CACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON THE ACTUAL MEMORIAL OR WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF SUCH MEMORIALS. AT ALL TIMES TREAT LOCATIONS OF MEMORIALS WITH RESPECT. ****
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.