Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
Window
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
A stained glass window with the figure of a RAF fighter pilot at the centre and an inscription at the base. The Pilot looks ready for action, in flying boots and Mae West and with his helmet on his hand. At his feet is the spinner of an airscrew, its three blades dominating the lower part of the window with, behind it, stretched out in long lines, are the buildings of the Rolls Royce Derby Factory. Above and behind the airman is an outstretched eagle framed by a resplendent sun.

Note: There is a replica of this window at its original location in the former Rolls Royce building on Nightingale Road, Osmaston, Derby (see record 112172).
Reason for status change (if applicable/optional)
Added postcode and map reference. S.F.
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building Name
Rolls Royce Museum, Rolls Royce Learning and Development Centre
Street
Wilmore Road
Town
Derby
District
Derby
County
Derbyshire
Country
England
Postcode
DE24 9BD
OS map ref
SK 36360 31880
Other Details
Museum is not open to the public.
If the memorial has been moved, please indicate why
Update April/2025: In 2010, Memorial was in storage at the Roll Royce Museum.

Battle Of Britain - Rolls Royce Window Location

Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
No
Building Name
Marble Hall, Connect Derby (ex-Rolls Royce Factory)
Street
Nightingale Road
Town
Osmaston
District
Derby
County
Derbyshire
Country
England
Postcode
DE24 8BF
OS map ref
SK 36392 33566
Other Details
On the first level landing of the main staircase leading from the Marble Hall.
If the memorial has been moved, please indicate why
Factory closed.

Battle Of Britain - Rolls Royce Window Location

What year was it moved?
c2008
Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
THIS WINDOW COMMEMORATES THE PILOTS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE/ WHO IN THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN TURNED THE WORK OF OUR HANDS/ INTO THE SALVATION OF OUR COUNTRY
War
How many names are listed in total?
0
Which war or group does the memorial commemorate?
Second World War (1939-1945)
Is the total an exact count?
Yes
Of the names listed, how many served and returned?
0
Of the names listed, how many died?
0
Condition
Is the writing on the memorial difficult to read?
No
Which organisation is the custodian of the memorial?
Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust
Components
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
Window
What condition is this component in?
Good
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Stained Glass
Dimensions
How high is the component?
c 5m
How wide is the component?
c 3m
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
No
War Memorials Online Reference number
141778
History
Scholarship
Is there a trust or scholarship associated with it?
No
Memorial Cost
What were the construction costs?
£3145-10s-0d in 1949
Additional Notes
Additional general notes on the memorial
When the company decided to erect a window, no one could think of suitable wording of the inscription. Captain Smith (Chairman of Rolls Royce) wrote on a scrap of paper the tribute from which the inscription — "To the Pilots of the Royal Air Force who, in the Battle of Britain, turned the work of our hands into the salvation of our country" was taken.
Supervisor comments
In Summer 2005 children from St Andrew's Special School and year 5 and 6 children from Nightingale Junior School, and their respective helpers, constructed traditional temporary Derbyshire well dressings made from flowers and other vegetation pressed into clay within a wooden frame and featuring the Rolls Royce Window. The dressings were displayed in Derby Cathedral and subsequently dismantled.
Record Notes
When was this memorial first recorded?
25/March/2011
Who originally recorded this memorial?
Ropy Branson
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Mr Hugh Easton
What role did they have in the making?
Designer
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Messrs Hendra & Harper
What role did they have in the making?
Builder
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
T G Harris
What role did they have in the making?
Builder
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Denis Harris
What role did they have in the making?
Builder
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Rededicated
When did it take place?
September 1996
Who was present?
UNKNOWN
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Unveiled
When did it take place?
11 January 1949
Who was present?
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Dedicated
When did it take place?
11 January 1949
Who was present?
Rt Rev A E J Rawlinson, Bishop of Derby
References
References
Well Dressing.com Photograph of temporary well dressing displayed in Derby Cathedral in Summer 2005 http://www.welldressing.com/photo.php?year=2005&id=37&uid=1235#l
LIGHT PERPETUAL: AVIATORS' MEMORIAL WINDOWS by BEATY, DAVID 31-32 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:AIRLIFE PUBLISHING LTD 1995 101 LONGDEN ROAD, SHREWSBURY SY3 9EB
Well Dressing.com Photograph of temporary well dressing displayed in Derby Cathedral in Summer 2005 http://www.welldressing.com/photo.php?year=2005&id=37&uid=1241#l
Unidentified Newspaper/Magazine 30 / Oct-Dec 1996 'Wings' magazine.
Derby Evening Telegraph 13/ 16 September 1997 News.
Derby Evening Telegraph 24/13 July 2009
Local Publication/Booklet 2010 Something Quite Exceptional, an account of the life of Hugh Easton and the Rolls Royce window, produced by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust.
Derby Evening Telegraph 19/ 17 December 2010 Article, including history and photographs, regarding a new book on the window.
Derby Evening Telegraph 12/ 4 March 2011 Photograph accompanying letter from a reader regarding possible future location.
A Century of Remembrance: One Hundred Outstanding British War Memorials by Derek Boorman 123, 190 - 191 / 2005 Published:Pen and Sword Military 2005 Refers to imminent closure of the factory.
Derby Daily Telegraph - Friday 20 October 1950
Intercom Summer 2006 - The Aircrew Association Page 51
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
147434
A stained glass window with an R A F pilot at the centre, Rolls-Royce buildings and an eagle in the background. There is an inscription at the base.
Priority
1
What is the image's caption?
A stained glass window with an R A F pilot at the centre standing on an airscrew. The Rolls-Royce buildings (below) and an eagle (above) are behind the figure. There is an inscription at the base.

Copyright Statement
M Bolton
Who is it credited to?
M Bolton
Date Taken
18/10/2022
Who took or provided this image?
M Bolton
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Image Height
4000
Media Image Width
3000