RAF Trades
 

Does anyone know what trades existed in the RAF during WW2, (other than the half wings.The only one I remember seeing is the fist with the electrical waves emitting from it. I was never interested until recently, Any help is welcome. Ray

Ray are you interested in a complete list of trades or only those trades/specialisations with distinguishing insignia?

Davie

Whilst on the subject:
Anyone interested in RAF related subjects should get the following books for their reference library. I just acquired some, very worth while.

The Royal Air Force An Encyclopedia of the inter war years. By wing Commander Ian. M. Philpott

Volume 1.The Trenchard years 1918 to 1929

Volume 2. re-armament 1930 to 1939

Thanks Tyneside. Yes Davie a good point, I am looking for those trades that had distinguishing badges, I suppose that would be ground crew & anyone else other than Air crew. Question #2 , when did the following (patches or half wings)? come into being Signalman, Flight engineers & Engineers & was there a WOP wing in the RAF. or was it just a W? Ray

I expect you have looked at the two links here but if not they may help. http://rafweb.org/ranksInd.htm http://www.britairforce.com/raf_1.htm#raf_cap_badges Cheers, Paul.

Ray,

I believe the Engineers "E" Brevet was authorised by AMO 1019 in September 1942 along with the Navigators "N" Brevet and the Bomb Aimers "B" Brevet.
A Radio Observers "RO" Brevet was introduced in 1941 or 1942 also and Wireless Operators who were aircrew wore an "S" Brevet introduced by AMO1242 in 1943.
An Air Gunners "AG" brevet was introduced by AMO 547 in December 1939 replacing the Air Gunners winged bullet.
A Meteorological Observers "M" brevet was also introduced near the end of the war.
I've seen reference at various times to other commonwealth nations brevets, for example Canadian types, being worn by RAF personnel who trained overseas as part of the BCATP (e.g. Wireless Air Gunner "WAG", I don't think this was ever formally adopted by the RAF but will stand corrected if anyone can confirm otherwise).

Ground trade and branch badges that were around during WW2 include:
- PTI's 3 armed Indian clubs badge
- PJI's circular badge worn on armlet above rank (replaced in 1945 by a brevet)
- Bomb disposal badge (1941 on)
- Ground Gunners badge worn by ground defence troops prior to the formation of the RAF Regiment in early 1942
- RAF regiment shoulder title (1942 onwards)
- RAF Regiment signallers badge introduced in 1944
- The wireless operators "Sparks" badge (The fist clutching lightning bolts mentioned in an earlier post)
- RAFVR Education Branch officers crossed torches lapel badge (1940 to 1948)
- Air Sea Rescue badge (1943 to 1948)
- Medical collar badge
- Bandsmans Lyre badge worn on sleeve

Probably missed some but most of the ones I've mentioned can be seen on the links Wardog posted earlier.

The early PJI was worn on the sleeve and had a wreath containing a parachute. This was later replaced, at the end of WW2 I think, by the half wing with a parachute. There seem to be two versions, one with a larger parachute than the other one. There was for a brief while a half wing with AT, Airborne Technician, but this was later replaced (not sure with what). I think it must have been worn by Nimrod crews and AWACs. Haven't found one yet to complete the set - still looking!