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This year, we mark the centenary of the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF), which played such a significant role in the Battle of Britain during the Second World War.

Reporting on the progress of this entirely airborne campaign, Prime Minister Winston Churchill expressed immense gratitude to ‘the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ Three of those pilots were Old Lambrookians, including Archibald Philip Hope who was given command of No. 601 (County of London) Squadron AAF during the second month of the Battle of Britain.

Born in 1912, Archie had entered Lambrook (Form IC) at the start of the Christmas Term 1920 – joining the Wolf Cub Pack (‘Red’ Six) in 1922 and progressing to the Scout Troop during the following year, when he passed his swimming test and represented the School at Junior Cricket. Archie also entered the Story Competition every year, with compositions entitled Adventure (described as ‘quaint’), The ‘Morning Star’ (‘The complete treasure story’), and An Adventurous Journey (‘A rattling yarn of pirates’). In 1924, he passed the Entrance Examination to Eton, regarded as a good result given that he was still only twelve years old, and subsequently went up to Balliol College Oxford in 1930.

While studying Modern History, Archie trained to fly as a member of the University Air Squadron and was then granted a commission in the Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class ‘AA’) – eventually joining 601 (County of London) Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force in 1935. On 24 August 1939, just one week before the outbreak of World War II, he was mobilised as a full-time pilot with his unit and given command of ‘A’ Flight. Having seen early action in Blenheim bombers, Archie soon converted to Hurricane fighters and played a leading role in the Battle of Britain during the following year.

Despite being shot down twice during this crucial campaign, Archie managed to destroy several Luftwaffe aircraft, had a major share in numerous other successful attacks and inflicted damage on many more enemy planes – achieving recognition as a notable fighter pilot ‘ace’ and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was put in charge of 601 Squadron in August 1940, promoted to Wing Commander in 1943 and appointed O.B.E. in 1945, following his departure from the R.A.F. as a Group Captain.

The end of the Second World War did not lead to a break in Archie’s long association with flying, though, as new employment opened up for him in the aviation industry. At various times during his new civilian career he held executive posts, including Directorships, in Airwork Limited, Napier Aero Engines Limited and the English Electric Company Limited, with final positions on the Air Transport Users Committee and in the Battle of Britain Fighter Association.

Exactly two decades ago, work began on designing bronze friezes for a new memorial to honour all pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain during 1940. The panels depict dramatic scenes from the Battle and alongside them are plaques listing the pilots’ names, including three Old Lambrookians: Squadron Leader A. P. Hope, Flying Officer B. H. Bowring, and Pilot Officer J. Mansel-Lewis.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication is held at Westminster Abbey on Battle of Britain Sunday each September, and this year the standards of Auxiliary Air Force squadrons were on display in honour of the A.A.F.’s centenary. A Lancaster bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight also paid tribute after the service with a series of fly-past displays.

Although Archie’s name does not feature on Lambrook’s Roll of Honour in the School Chapel, that of his Old Lambrookian brother Lieutenant Colonel John Cecil Hope, D.S.O., M.C. tragically does. He served in the 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and died on 24 April 1945 during active service in Italy, where he is buried in the Argenta Gap War Cemetery. John is commemorated on the Lambrook Roll of Honour in the School Chapel as well as on the King’s Royal Rifle Corps memorial at Eton College and his name will be read out at Lambrook’s Armistice Day Remembrance on Monday 11th November. ‘We will remember them.’

School Archivist