RFC white cap band
 

I wondered if anyone could shed light on the use of the white cap band by the Royal Flying Corps.

Was the white cap band worn only by aircrew cadets, or also more generally by officer cadets?

Please see attached photo of the cap band in use on Field Service Caps and Service Dress Cap...

Any insights appreciated!

Found this :

" Pilot trainee volunteers were first sent to one of several depots, usually the base of a regular Army Regiment, or to the Recruit Training Centre at Halton Camp, before being sent to a Cadet Wing when spaces became available. Here they underwent a two month basic military training course which included physical training and drill, rifle shooting, map reading and navigation, military law and morse code. Aviation related coursework included lectures and demonstrations on airframes and aero engines, their construction and functions. At the end of the course and a physical examination which included balance and coordination tests, the trainees were able to put a white band around their caps which signified they were now Flight Cadets."

Denham Aerodrome

Photo titled :
"RFC Cadets of No 1 Officers Cadet Battalion at Denham in 1916. The white band on their caps denotes the fact they have passed the course and are now Flight Cadets."


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Thank you Mike!

I used to own a WW1 photo album which I wish I had kept now. It had photos of various convalescent soldiers at a British seaside location.

I recall a photo of an RFC officer (the badge was quite visible) with one of these white bands.

The practice must have continued during WW2 as a dear old late friend had a picture of himself published after he was confirmed as a POW. He was wearing the sidecap with a white band from his training days. He told us that this was for "officer aspirant".

As an aside, when he was released from the camp and returned to the UK in around 1946, he was told to go and replace his dress uniform. The London tailors had many uniforms whose owners would never be claiming them as they had been killed during the war.

Ivan tried to claim one with a Squadron Leader rank (he had been promoted to W.O II while he was "behind the wire") but wasn't allowed to take it!