The Library

The catalogue is directly accessible online or on the two Apple computers in the Library. Searching is simple, instructions are included and are set out on the computer desks.

The books are arranged in broad categories, including Aircraft, Commands, Squadrons, Operational Techniques and Campaigns, include books on the two world wars, the Suez Crisis, the Cold War, Vietnam, Korea, the Falklands, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Libya, to mention but a few. There is also a large collection of biographies and memoirs and a new section containing lighter reading and fiction.

For those who prefer to browse the shelves, there are diagrams showing the locations of the various categories on the computer desks and by the door to the Churchill Bar.

Procedure for borrowing books

Members are welcome to borrow books at any time. Simply fill in a Loan Sheet (to be found on the librarian’s desk) and place it in the box provided. Books should be returned within a month.

When returning books by hand, please remember to return them to Reception, not the Library. The librarians will collect and re-shelve them when on duty. If you are not revisiting the Club, please return books by post.

Members staying at the Club
You may borrow books to read in your room. No loan form is needed – simply return the books to Reception.

New additions to the Library
If you would like to suggest a book for purchase or have a query, please email in the first instance library@rafclub.org.uk. Whilst the Library team welcome offers of donations, please do not send books until the librarians have confirmed that they do not duplicate works already in the library.

All the books in the catalogue are listed on the two Apple computers at the far end of the library. They also contain a facility to search for a book either by its title or by the author’s name.

Our recent additions to the stock include:

H1 ROS 3745 - Be Bold, The Autobiography of ACM Sir Frederick Rosier. Served in 43 and 229 Squadrons before becoming Deputy C in C Allied Forces Central Europe in 1973 -  by David Rosier

K1 NEW 3748 - The Name Beneath the Stone, The Secret of the Unknown Warrior Buried in Westminster Abbey - by Robert Newcombe            

A1 HOR 3752 - DH Hornet & Sea Hornet, De Havilland’s Ultimate Piston-Engined Fighter - by Tony Buttler, David Collins & Martin Derry

H1 WAL 3754 - Captain Concorde, The true story of one man’s remarkable journey of flight and faith - by Brian Walpole with Graham Lacey

H1 LON 3747 - The Belgian RAF Pilot Who Defied the Gestapo, The Life of The Fearless Baron de Selys Longchamps - by Marc Audrit

B8 3744 -    Never Not Ready, The History of RAF Regiment Parachute Units 1942 -2012 - by Graeme Deeley

F2 AYL 3746 - Daylight to  Darkness, Remembering the men that flew in the Battle of Heligoland Bight 18 December 1939 - Doug Aylward - by Caroline Kesseler- Jack Waterfall