90 faces of the RAF Benevolent Fund

Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

http://www.rafbf90.org.uk/history/air-marshall-sir-hugh-dowding/

Categories: History

In 1934, Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding was appointed to the RAF Benevolent Fund council, in his capacity as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Fighter Command.

He was dismayed at first to find much of the council in favour of a major public appeal for funds. Dowding felt the RAF could be asked to do a lot more for itself, saying:

“It is right and proper that serving personnel should be the principal contributors, and they can do very much more than they are now doing.”

This laid the groundwork for the introduction of the Half Day’s Pay Scheme, where members of the RAF could contribute half a day’s pay a year towards the RAFBF. This system remains the bedrock of our income today.

Dowding would famously go on to mastermind the RAF’s victory in the Battle of Britain during the summer of 1940.