Volunteer Air Observers Corps (Australia) Badges
 

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II. The VAOC was formed on 31 December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force by sighting and observing aircraft over Australia. The VAOC swiftly established observation posts across Australia and provided information to the RAAF's regional air control posts. As the threat to Australia declined the VAOC's role was expanded to include coast watching, assisting air traffic control and weather reporting. The VAOC was staffed by civilian volunteers and reached a peak strength of 24,000 personnel and 2,656 observation posts in 1944. After the end of the war the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded on 10 April 1946. The VAOC was similar to the British Royal Observer Corps.

These are the badges for the Observer, Chief Observer and Commandant.

Anyone have any ideas how many Chief Observers and Commandants there may have been?

Mick

Hi Mick

Thanks for the excellent information. I have both the observer's and chief observer's but didn't realise there was a commandant badge.

Regards

John

The commandant badge is hen's teeth rare.

Mick

According to Clive Johnsons very good " Australians Awarded' there were up to 100 Commandant issues and up to 1900 Chief Observers.

One reason for the rarity of the Commandant badges is that many were trashed after the war, I think on official order's. Somewhere I have a photo of several fused together with badly damaged enamel.

There was also an armband, navy blue with yellow 'VAOC' lettering.

A photo of the set and a photo of four badges, two Chief and two Commandant. This is how many ended up.

Some interesting images of the (mostly) ladies at work in bing images - including one wearing the armband (only OC visible)

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...electedIndex=5

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...electedIndex=8

There was a Commandant's badge listed on eBay last week, but disappeared quickly no doubt after someone offered a price seller couldn't resist!

Damn! Still, ive bought enough on ebay this week!

The VAOC armband being worn with civilian clothes.