Rare Tea & the RAF

Terry Clark

Flight Lieutenant William Terence Montague Clark, DFM, AE
11 April 1919 – 7 May 2020
It is with sadness we update this page to bring you the news that Terry passed away on the eve of the 75th VE Day Anniversary.
Terry Clark, RAF Pilot

Henrietta & Terry

In 2009, Henrietta made a film with The Guardian newspaper about the long relationship between the Royal Air Force and tea. They filmed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse where fast jet pilots are trained. Henrietta made tea and chatted with the pilots and aircrew.

She was introduced to Terry Clark, a veteran WW2 navigator who fought in the Battle of Britain. Henrietta was so impressed by this last surviving Yorkshire veteran from the Battle of Britain that she decided to create Terry a unique blend.

Brewing up a storm with the RAF

On first sipping his blend Terry said "I shall have to have more of that". He wasn't the only one who wanted it.

We were inundated by requests.

When we create a bespoke blend it is, of course, exclusive. The blend Henrietta created for Mark Hix is only available at HIX restaurants. Fergus Henderson's St. John blend is only available at St. John restaurants. Angela Hartnett's Murano blend can only be tasted at Murano. Noma’s at Noma. Claridges’ at Claridges. Terry's tea was just for Terry.

That is, until Henrietta received a call from Whitehall. The Royal Air Force commissioned Terry's tea as their official blend for their charity RAFA with each sale raising money for veterans, serving airmen and their families. The result was RAFA Tea for Heroes - the first of our breakfast blends to go on sale.

RAFA

Tea For Heroes

Traditional British tea at its finest - a pre-rationing Breakfast Blend, it has soft florals balanced by smooth, malty notes.

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Fortifying in times of national peril. Calming when courage is required.

50p from every tin sold goes directly to the RAF Association Wings Appeal, supporting the brave serving men and woman of the RAF, their families, veterans and the museums that safeguard their history.

In June 2012, we were invited to take part in the unveiling of the new Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. All of our office staff and many friends volunteered their time and expertise, serving over 5,000 cups of loose leaf RAF Tea for Heroes for the Queen, the Royal family and the surviving RAF veterans. It was a huge privilege to share tea and stories with them.

Henrietta and Terry Clark

Sgt Terry Clark was an air gunner and then a radar navigator during the Battle of Britain.

RAF Tea for Heroes has gone from strength to strength and continues to grow nationwide. It is available on our website here and at the RAFA online shop. Our friend, comedian Alexander Armstrong, was even kind enough to speak up about our RAFA Tea: