The Royal Air Force Club welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and President of the British Society of Master Glass Painters on 6 October 2024 to unveil a stained glass window commemorating the centenary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).

To celebrate 100 years of the RAuxAF’s achievements, a competition was launched in January 2024 to find a design for a new stained glass window to occupy a place of pride in the famous RAF Club in Piccadilly, London. The project, sponsored by the Beaverbrook Foundation, was underpinned by a partnership between the Royal Air Force Club and the British Society of Master Glass Painters in order to expand the artistic scope of the project and promote emerging stained glass artists. 

Five shortlisted artists, each supported by a BSMGP mentor, submitted designs in April 2024 to a judging panel comprised of members of the BSMGP, the Royal Air Force Club Arts and Heritage Committee and the Commandant General of the RAuxAF. The eventual winner chosen from amongst a  high standard was Chad Kenney, a serving member of the Royal Air Force and student of stained-glass. 

Supported by  Deborah Lowe AMGP , who was also present at the unveiling, Kenney’s design was transformed into a window which perfectly encapsulates the history, esprit de corps, and heraldic badge of the RAuxAF,  and adds another outstanding piece of stained glass artwork to the Royal Air Force Club’s collection. 

Commenting on the award, Chad said: “being a graphic designer in my spare time and having only designed one stained glass window, I couldn’t believe it when I was chosen, firstly as a finalist for the RAuxAF 100 competition and being assigned the extremely talented Deborah Lowe as a mentor, and, secondly, being chosen as the winner.  To get enough detail I had to use glass painting and my mentor taught me everything I needed to grow my confidence in this endangered craft.”

Chad’s design features the dates 1924 and 2024 prominently at the top and bottom, surrounded by images reflecting the work of the reservists between its inception and the centenary year. These segments are separated by the central Badge of the RAuxAF with its motto Comitamur Ad Astra, which means ‘We go with them to the stars’.

Air Vice Marshal Munro stated, “This is a fantastic piece of work and a fitting tribute to the thousands of men and women who, over the last 100 years, have served the RAF as part time volunteer reserves. It is even more special knowing that the window was designed and made by a serving member of the RAF who studies stained glass window work in his spare time.”

This project is one of several that the BSMGP have supported in 2024 to promote and provide opportunities for its members and support the art and craft of stained glass.

 

This news piece has been adapted from an original article written by Wing Commander Howard Leader QVRM VR ALCM.   

All images: Crown Copyright.