Australians in the Battle of Britain. 25 August 1940

Still nothing much of note for ‘my’ Australians, and so, I am continuing the theme of ‘what happened next’ for those who died... (And, unfortunately, another day when I can't upload images). 

 Soon after Dick Glyde’s death on 13 August 1940, the 87 Squadron adjutant sent Dick’s DFC to his parents. They never applied for his service medals, or the precious Battle of Britain Clasp but, many years later, Dick’s cousin claimed them on behalf of the family and mounted them with Dick’s DFC. He donated them to a museum in 1980 where They remained safely for many years but in the early 1990s, they, and a number of other items, were stolen.

 Dick’s medals resurfaced in 2006 in an auction catalogue. They were returned to the Museum and are once again part of their collection and, rather than just a commodity to be bought and sold, they have again become a symbol of contribution and sacrifice.

‘The Few’ are also immortalised in many public and private memorials and Dick’s is one of the more spectacular. The Glydes belonged to Christ Church parish in Claremont, Perth. They commissioned a stained glass window to replace a plain diamond-paned leadlight window on the north side of the church.

The Glyde Window features the image of Saint Michael, winged warrior, archangel and one of the patrons of chivalry, as well as crests from the RAF and Dick’s school—signifying their importance in his life. It was dedicated at Evensong on 15 December 1946. 470 people attended, including Frank and Phillis Glyde. Frank died just two months later on 17 February 1947. Phillis died on 19 April 1962. The Glyde Window clearly shows the Glydes’ pride in their son’s achievements at school and in his air force career as well as their desire that his sacrifice never be forgotten. It is a significant memorial.