St Clements Danes

The last of the"home alone" series

St Clements Danes, London

3^rd August 2012

The High Commission (Gringot's Bank) from St Clements Danes

Friday saw Mark in London for work rather unexpectedly. I had to review a DSTO report, and the only location I could do so was at the High Commission in London. After starting work at 6 am to catch up with people in Australia it was off to London on the “cheap” off-peak train of £40. Directly opposite the High Commission, is St Clements Danes – the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. The site of the church also once held the tomb of the Saxon King Harold Harefoot d.1040 – but alas, no more. This is hardly surprising when you think of the history of the church.

 

 

 

 

 

St Clements Danes from the High Commission

In the 9^th century, Danes who took English wives were allowed to settle in the area, and subsequently took over a small church dedicated to St Clement (and was then known as St Clements-of-the-Danes). St Clements himself was martyred at the end of the 1^st century by Emperor Trajan, who had an anchor tied to St Clement and then had him thrown into the sea. The fire of London in 1666 did not destroy the church, but it was in such poor condition that Christopher Wren was invited to rebuild it (1680-1682). On 10^th May (Cal’s birthday) 1941 the church was bombed with an incendiary, and whilst the walls remained standing, the church was gutted. It was eventually restored and re-consecrated in 1958.

The relationship to the RAF started at the end of the Second World War, when it was suggested to the diocese of London that the RAF be permitted to rebuild a church as its own. And so, St Clements Danes, destroyed by the actions of the German Air Force, was given into the care of another air force. The role of the church is two fold – to be a place of worship, and a place to commemorate those who died whilst serving in the RAF. On the floor of the church are almost 900 squadron and unit badges of the RAF, made from hard Welsh slate. There is a book of remembrance in which the names of over 150,000 men and women who died whilst serving in the RAF.