Royal Air Forces Escaping Society
Encyclopedia
The Royal Air Forces Escaping Society, was a UK based charitable organization
formed in 1946 to provide help to those in the former occupied countries in World War II
who put their lives at risk to assist and save members of the "Royal Air Forces" (that is, Air Forces
of the British Commonwealth
) who were attempting to escape and evade capture.
The society was based at the Duke of York's Headquarters, London
and had the Latin
motto 'Solvitur ambulando
' (solved by walking). It helped the widows, dependents and orphans of those who died and those requiring medical treatment or otherwise in need. It also fostered continued friendship between escapers and evaders and their helpers. Air Chief Marshal
Sir Basil Embry was the president of the RAFES from its formation until the 1970s.
The society was disbanded with the laying up of its UK standard
in Lincoln Cathedral
on 17th September 1995 and the last president was Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges
. There remains a small Royal Air Forces Escaping Society Museum at the Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, near Spilsby
, Lincolnshire
and commemorative plaques sponsored by the RAFES at several locations including; the Royal Air Force Museum London, St Clement Danes Church and the Musée de l'Armée
at the Hôtel des Invalides, Paris
.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
formed in 1946 to provide help to those in the former occupied countries in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who put their lives at risk to assist and save members of the "Royal Air Forces" (that is, Air Forces
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of the British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
) who were attempting to escape and evade capture.
The society was based at the Duke of York's Headquarters, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and had the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
motto 'Solvitur ambulando
Solvitur ambulando
Solvitur ambulando is a Latin term which means:* it is solved by walking* the problem is solved by a practical experimentDiogenes of Sinope, also known as "Diogenes the Cynic," is said to have replied to the argument that motion is unreal by standing up and walking away.The phrase appears early in...
' (solved by walking). It helped the widows, dependents and orphans of those who died and those requiring medical treatment or otherwise in need. It also fostered continued friendship between escapers and evaders and their helpers. Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Basil Embry was the president of the RAFES from its formation until the 1970s.
The society was disbanded with the laying up of its UK standard
Heraldic flag
In heraldry and vexillology, an heraldic flag is any of several types of flags, containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices, used for personal identification....
in Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
on 17th September 1995 and the last president was Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges
Lewis Hodges
Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Macdonald Hodges KCB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, DL was a pilot for Special Operations Executive in the Second World War, and later achieved high command in the Royal Air Force and NATO....
. There remains a small Royal Air Forces Escaping Society Museum at the Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, near Spilsby
Spilsby
Spilsby is a market town and civil parish in Lincolnshire. England. The town is situated adjacent to the main A16 Trunk Road at the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds north of the Fenlands, east of the county town of Lincoln, north east of Boston and north west from Skegness.The town has...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
and commemorative plaques sponsored by the RAFES at several locations including; the Royal Air Force Museum London, St Clement Danes Church and the Musée de l'Armée
Musée de l'Armée
The Musée de l'Armée is a museum at Les Invalides in Paris, France. Originally built as a hospital and home for disabled soldiers by Louis XIV, it now houses the Tomb of Napoleon and the museum of the Army of France...
at the Hôtel des Invalides, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
See also
- Royal Air Force Association
- The Royal British LegionThe Royal British LegionThe Royal British Legion , sometimes referred to as simply The Legion, is the United Kingdom's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.-History:The British Legion was...
- SSAFA Forces HelpSSAFA Forces HelpSSAFA Forces Help is a British based charitable organization set up to help former and serving members of the United Kingdom British Armed Forces and their families or dependents...
- RAF Benevolent FundRAF Benevolent FundThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF - regardless of rank - as well as their partners and dependents.They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...