Canadian Aviation Corps, 1914
 

Before the days of the RCAF, CAF and even before the two Canadian squadrons were established in Upper Heyford in Nov of 1918, there was a rudimentary effort to create an air presence for Canada. Of somewhat dubious evolution, there was the Canada Aviation Corps, primarily through the efforts of Ernest Loyd Janney who was “appointed provisional Commander of the Canadian Aviation Corps” in late 1914. A plane (in name only), a Burgess-Dunne the first ever aircraft purchased by the Canadian Military, eventually made its way to Britain where it never flew and was scrapped shortly thereafter. Accompanying Janney was another pilot, Lieut. W. F. Sharpe. The ill-fated CAC lasted last than 6 months and Sharpe was killed in early 1915 in his first solo training flight with the RFC. The reader is referred to excellent discussion and thorough referencing in the Great War Forum which goes into much more detail about events around this time:

"www.greatwarforum.org/topic/247509-captain-el-janney-canadian-aviator-royal-flying-corps-first-world-war-ace/"

However, the purpose of this post is to present an uncommon cap badge associated with the early CAC. It consists of a generic style General Service badge with a lower banner indicating “Aviation Corps”. I haven’t seen any documentation to indicate it was an official badge however Warren Carroll discusses it briefly (p.46 of Eagles Recalled) as does Bill Hampson in Canadian Flying Services (p.6). There appear to be two designs, one with a narrow banner and the 2nd, a wider banner extending beyond the width of the maple leaf. Smaller collars have also been reported. It’s interesting in Carroll’s first publication, Wings Canada & Great Britain 1913-1945 published in 1981, Carroll illustrates a badge with the larger banner than in the 2nd more common edition Eagles Recalled which has a photo incorporating the small banner.

The copy illustrated here may well be a collar or a later reproduction as it measures 41mm high, 34mm wide, weighs 7.6 gm and has pins rather than lug fasteners. It is stamped from a copper die and has a slight, pickled finish. In any event, it’s uncommon in my experience.

One wonders if these badges were actually made contemporary to the the CAC or were manufactured later in recognition of the unit. After all, with only two three participants... Perhaps some Forum members might have other examples, comments or additional information on this badge?

Z:
Wow, and thank you...
Don