The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

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Grenade, hand and rifle, No 36 M Mk 1 (Sectioned)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Sparklets Limited, Upper Edmonton, London (base plug)
British No 36 time-fused Mark I (Sectioned) 'Mills' hand or rifle grenade, First World War period. In spring 1918 a new version of the 'Mill bomb' was introduced. The base was fitted with a 'Gas check' disc which fitted into a discharger cup. This...
Grenade, Hand, Jam Tin Bomb
(weapons and ammunition)
Early First World War period British Army improvised grenade; an 'ad hoc' in-theatre creation to make up for lack of official supplies of suitable bombs for close-quarter fighting; often associated with the Gallipoli campaign but also used on the Western...
King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
(decorations and awards) 1937
medal and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 327
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
(decorations and awards) 1935
Philip Neame transferred to the Indian Army in 1925
Italy Star (1943-1945)
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 708
Africa Star (1940-1943)
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 174
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 290
1939-1945 Star
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 152
The Iraq Medal (2003)
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint 2004
The Iraq Medal was authorised by DCI JOINT 34/04 and approved by HM The Queen in recognition of campaign service related to operations in, and in support of, Iraq. The opening qualification date being 20 January 2003. The Iraq Medal has the same status...
War Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards)
Part of a group of medals mounted for wearing