Battle of Britain Lace

At least 30 Battle of Britain Laces were made presented to various British and Commonwealth Government officials. It features the insignias of the various British Commonwealth Air Forces, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The Lace itself is reminiscent of the Medieval Bayeux Tapestry, which chronicles the Norman conquest of the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This textile, however, recounts a very different narrative: how an enemy invasion was thwarted by British ingenuity and by brave pilots from across the Empire, ever after known as ‘The Few’.

25 Australians flew with Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain (10 July to 31 October 1940) but 8 became air aces. All told, 537 Commonwealth pilots gave their lives during history’s most famous air battle. 10 were Australian.

On loan courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force Association (Victorian Division)

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