[RonArm]

I came across some information to share from

The World of Military Wings - The Anglian Collection and a special thanks to Mike McLean for the data on the group photo

This extremely rare and beautiful set of Royal Canadian Naval Air Service badges belong to a friend of this site. He has graciously offered them for all to enjoy.
The RCNAS was suggested for ocean patrols from Nova Scotia in May 1918, Recruiting started in August 1918. Some were sent to MIT in the USA for training, in three groups of 20, during September and October 1918. 12 or 13 trained in England and 6 were serving as active airship coxwains. Initially there were 6 professional officers of the RAF , and one naval officer on duty, though more came on board in the following months. The question of uniform and badges was contentious as the UK ordered one style (RAF) but the Canadians desired a different version in navy blue and naval caps, with their own badges which also defied UK instructions. It is not known who made the badges presented and no paperwork has materialised for uniforms or badges. The Armistice of November 11th 1918 changed the perceived need for this force and the service stayed active only until December 4th 1918 when the cadets at MIT were dismissed and returned home , all except for three who were given the option of continuing to train in either Miami or Key West, Florida, which continued into 1919. The US contingents who had already been flying from Nova Scotia while the Canadians trained left there by January 1919. One officer remained on staff and it is believed that a small number of NCO and enlisted staff, wearing appropriate RCNAS uniforms and insignia, also remained at the Kelly Beach and Baker Point bases and some test flying of airctraft was done. The end came on December 16th 1919. The RCNAS was no more.

These badges belonged to Harold Curtis Williams. He attended the first RCNAS class sent to M.I.T in 1918. When the service was disbanded, he hadn't finished his training, and was discharged. It's interesting to note that there is a reprimand in his service file about cadets wearing the officer's badges for cap and the qualified aeroplane and airship pilot wing. It was ordered halted at once, with further consequences threatened if this practice continued. It is a puzzlement as to why cadets would already have the officer's cap badge and flying badge in their possession prior to commissioning. However this thought is offered by the current owner:

"I just took a glance through the service record of H C Williams......The last class was discharged/returned home on December 4th 1918. The Notice from the Naval Office demanding the immediate removal of breast badges from cadet's uniforms is dated Dec. 20th 1918.....And it refers to the service being defunct. As far as I can see, it looks like the guys at M.I.T may have given the badges out thinking "what's the point?" as the service ceased to be....Have you ever seen a picture of an officer wearing the badges? I certainly have not......"
Interestingly the outbreak of Spanish influenza at Boston on Thursday 19th September 1918 caused orders to be issued for the cadets to proceed to Boston on 20th September 1918 and to return to their homes on leave until further required and until the quarantine was lifted and other orders received.
This was the effective end of the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service.

Williams had enlisted via telegram from Goderich to Toronto, was accepted and mustered in Toronto before being sent to the States. After disbandment, Williams returned to Goderich Ontario. Never re-entered the armed services.


Note: The group photo seems to be wearing the Canadian General list cap badge