The badge in your image Jon is technically the wrong one!
The cloth badge was introduced in 1941 for officers of the Air Training Corps, who were all enlisted in the Volunteer Reserve, and wore uniform and insignia (buttons, brass VR collar badges and standard officers side cap badge - the peaked cap was not authorised for wear by ATC officers until April 1944) the same as all RAF officers. As a distinguishing badge to clearly show they were officers of the Air Training Corps a circular cloth badge was introduced of the letters 'ATC in light blue, inside a light blue ring, all on a dark blue backing. There were two sizes - the larger (approx 45mm) was worn on the tunic sleeve above the rank lace, while the smaller (approx 35mm) was worn on the greatcoat shoulder above the rank. (John, yours looks like the smaller worn on a tunic sleeve). These cloth badges were declared obsolete from 1st July 1944.
On 30th June 1943 the brass VR collar badges were withdrawn, and on 1st June 1944 a new gilt collar badge of the ATC crest was introduced for wear by officers to replace the cloth badge, worn on the collar of the tunic and shoulders of the greatcoat. They were replaced in 1947 by the 'VRT' collar and shoulder badge.
|