TheFleet Air Arm Memorial, sometimes known asDaedalus, is awar memorial in London, commemorating the service of theRoyal Naval Air Service and theFleet Air Arm from their establishments in 1914 and 1924 respectively, in theFirst World War, theSecond World War, theKorean War, theFalklands War and theGulf War, including over 6,000 killed in all conflicts. The service of the Fleet Air Arm is also commemorated at theNational Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, at the former base of the Fleet Air Arm atHMSDaedalus inLee-on-the-Solent, and at theChurch of St Bartholomew, Yeovilton.
The memorial comprises a thin stone column on which stands a bronze statue of a naval airman, wearing a flying suit and helmet, and with wings attached to his arms likeDaedalus fromAncient Greek mythology, resembling awinged victory or anangel. The base of the memorial has a gilded inscription of the name and insignia of the Fleet Air Arm. It also bears the names of battles where the units fought, a dedication "To the everlasting memory of all the men and women from the United Kingdom the British Commonwealth and the many Allied Nations who have given their lives whilst serving in the Royal Naval Air Service and the Fleet Air Arm", and a quotation fromPsalm 18:10: "He rode upon a cherub and did fly yea he did fly upon the wings of the wind".
It was designed by Tim Kempster of Trehearne Architects with the sculpture of Daedalus byJames Butler. It was unveiled on 1 June 2000 byCharles, Prince of Wales, and stands inVictoria Embankment Gardens, between theRiver Thames and the headquarters of theMinistry of Defence, facing theRoyal Air Force Memorial. Also nearby are theKorean War Memorial, theIraq and Afghanistan Memorial, theChindit Memorial, and theBattle of Britain Monument.
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