For Valour :
1 July 2025
On 1 July 1916 Rees and another pilot took off on a patrol to prevent German reconnaissance aircraft observing the Battle of the Somme's developing gr
Pride and Progress
12 June 2025
“Being able to march in a Pride in your uniform is something that I couldn’t even have dreamed of.”Kevin Bazeley ponders on Pride and progress.
Coastal Command
4 June 2025
Although Victory in Europe was declared on 8 May on this day in 1945, 4 June, Coastal Command ended the longest war campaign of any RAF Command.
For Valour: Captain William Avery (‘Billy’) Bishop, VC, CB, DSO, MC, DFC, Croix de Guerre avec Palmes*
2 June 2025
'Billy' Bishop was the highest-scoring Commonwealth pilot of the Great War, officially credited with 72 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Arrest and Humiliation
12 May 2025
25 years ago the ban on LGBT+ people in the British Armed Forces ended. To mark this anniversary, the RAF Museum has been recording those affected.
For Valour: Lt. (temp. Capt.) Albert Ball, VC, DSO**, MC, Legion d’Honneur (France); Order of St. George 4th Class (Russia). Late Notts. and Derby Regiment, and R.F.C.
6 May 2025
Albert Ball was awarded his RFC 'wings' brevet on 22 January 1916 and rapidly developed into a very dedicated and proficient fighter pilot.
Operation Manna Remembered – Experiences of the Crews, Eighty Years On
29 April 2025
Exactly eighty years ago this week, beginning on 29 April and extending to 8 May 1945, RAF Bomber Command undertook Operation Manna.
For Valour : 2nd Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC
26 April 2025
Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse has the distinction of being the first aviator to be awarded the Victoria Cross
Fighting with Pride – Success
12 April 2025
On 12 Jan 2000, the ban on LGBT+ people in the UK Armed Forces ended. To commemorate this anniversary we are sharing the stories from gay veterans.
![For Valour: 2nd Lt. (Temporary Captain) [later Major] James Byford McCudden, DSO*, MC*, MM, Croix de Guerre, General List and Royal Flying Corps.](https://assets.rafmuseum.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/04/05102634/1.jpg)
For Valour: 2nd Lt. (Temporary Captain) [later Major] James Byford McCudden, DSO*, MC*, MM, Croix de Guerre, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
2 April 2025
Captain McCudden's Victoria Cross is exceptional as it was awarded, not for one particular event of Valour, but for his long fighting career.
For Valour: Lieutenant Alan Jerrard, Royal Air Force VC, MVB
30 March 2025
Lieutenant Jerrard was a member of 66 Squadron based at San Pietro-in-Gu, just north of Gossa.
For Valour: 2nd Lieutenant Alan Arnett McLeod, VC Royal Air Force
27 March 2025
On 27 March, McLeod was undertaking a bombing attack in FK 8 serial B5773 with Lieutenant Hammond MC as his Observer when they came under fierce fire.
For Valour : Lieutenant Francis Hubert (Frank) McNamara, VC, Australian Forces, Royal Flying Corps
20 March 2025
Frank McNamara had the distinction of being the only Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross for aerial activities in the First World War.
Incompatible with Service Life
19 March 2025
During his service as a firefighter in the Royal Air Force, Carl Austin-Behan rescued a pilot from a burning aircraft.
For Valour : Flight Lieutenant William (Bill) Ellis Newton (Aus. 250748) VC, Royal Australian Air Force
17 March 2025
On 17 March 1943, Newton was captain and pilot of Boston serial A28-3, coded DU-Y. He was tasked with attacking the Japanese port of Salamaua
The Etherton Report
12 February 2025
In the second of our regular blogs to commemorate the repeal of the ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Services we hear from Tracy Footit.
On This Day In History : 4 February 1945
4 February 2025
80 years ago today, 4 February 1945, Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt met in Yalta to map out the world's future after the Second World War.
It was 25 years ago today
12 January 2025
In this short blog Jess Boydon-Juckes recounts the story of RAF Veteran Kevin Bazeley who was in 1985 a serving member of the RAF.
For Valour: Serjeant Thomas Mottershead (1396) VC, Royal Flying Corps
7 January 2025
Serjeant Mottershead was a member of 20th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, based at Clairmarais, to the east of St-Omer in northern France.
For Valour : Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer (115772) VC DFC*
23 December 2024
Squadron Leader Palmer commanded 109 Squadron of Mosquitoes of the Path Finder Force (PFF), based at RAF Little Staughton.