The Association of Royal Air Force Fighter Control Officers
An Appeal for Funds to Sponsor a Commemorative Stained Glass Window at
Bentley Priory
Headquarters Fighter Command was established at Bentley Priory in 1936 and over the next few years the Priory was
at the core of the development of the first system of air defence in the world. The system, which was centred on
Bentley Priory, was tested in the furnace of combat during the Battle of Britain; it survived the test and with minor
refinements was used in Great Britain and in overseas theatres for the rest of the Second World War. Bentley Priory
continued as the United Kingdom’s headquarters for integrated air defence until 2008.
The tenets laid down during the formative years and forged in the Battle of Britain have endured and provided a
model for integrated air defence, which has been adopted by a great many nations across the world.
Bentley Priory is, therefore, the home of Integrated Air Defence. The UK Ministry of Defence disposed of the Priory
in 2008 but the Priory was saved for the Nation by the Bentley Priory Trust. The core parts of the Priory are being
turned into a museum and education centre but, equally as important, it will be a monument to integrated air
defence and its role in saving Great Britain during the Second World War, protecting Britain during the Cold War and
providing the model for integrated air defence which now protects so many other nation’s around the world.
The role of ‘The Few’- the pilots of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain - is a very well-known story. Their
success is legendary; they were the tip of the spear and often paid the ultimate price. What is, perhaps, less well
understood is the role of those that manned and operated the system of air defence which became known as the
‘Dowding System.’ Without the system and those that operated it there would have been no victory and the
sacrifice of The Few would have been in vain. In Churchill’s own words:
All the ascendancy of the Hurricanes and Spitfires would have been fruitless but for this system which had been devised
and built before the war. It had been shaped and refined in constant action, and all was now fused together into a most
elaborate instrument of war”
It is one of the objectives of the Association of Royal Air Force Fighter Control Officers to promote and raise
awareness of the role of those that manned and operated this ‘ instrument of war’ both past and present. Further,
there is a need to promote an understanding of context which includes promoting an understanding of the
component parts of the system and their interrelationship.
The Pressures to man the Dowding System with appropriately qualified officers led to the birth of the Royal Air Force
Fighter Control Branch which effectively came into existence in June 1940. This was another world first and WAAF
personnel were at the forefront of this new specialisation.
The Association is now working to support the Bentley Priory Trust and has agreed to raise funds for a small stained
glass window to commemorate the ‘Dowding System’ and the role the WAAF who, from 1941, were increasingly
employed across all elements of the system, with conspicuous success, to release their male colleagues for service
overseas. Some 4000 WAAF personnel were to ‘man’ and operate the ‘Dowding System’ over the period of the war
Please help us create this lasting memorial at the home of integrated air defence – Bentley Priory - to the ‘Dowding
System’ and those that evolved and operated it. All donations large or small will be most gratefully received. Please
see how to donate over the page.
The Association of Royal Air Force Fighter Control Officers
An Appeal for a Commemorative Stained Glass Window at Bentley Priory
Appeal Coordinator
Group Captain Tim Willbond RAF (Rtd). E-mail tc.willbond@btinternet.com
Donations
Donations to the Stained Glass Window Appeal can be made either electronically or by Cheque
Electronic Payment
Donations made by electronic payments should be to the following account using the Payment
Reference given:
Account Name: Assn of Royal Air Force Fighter Control Officers
Sort Code: 40-47-17
Account Number: 82356260
Payment Reference: BP Appeal
Payment by Cheque
Cheques, should be made payable to "The Association of RAF Fighter Control Officers" and endorsed
"Bentley Priory Appeal" on the reverse. Please send to the Treasurer using the slip below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Treasurer
The Association of RAF Fighter Control Officers
Hilltop
Newtown
Martley
Worcestershire,
WR6 6PR
From:
Please find attached a cheque for £ ______________ for the stained glass window appeal.
Signed _______________________________________________