Quote:
Originally Posted by Jelly Terror
Did the RAF's two antecedent units wear 'good conduct' chevrons?
Attachment 190671
With thanks,
JT |
With its antecedents of the Royal Engineers and the Royal Flying Corps, both of them army formations, it seems inevitable that long-serving soldiers who made the full transition to the Royal Air Force in 1918 would have brought with them some Good Conduct badges. The formal RAF introduction was by Air Ministry Order 720 of 12th August 1920, with up to three available. The badges were to be worn in the same manner as the army, but it was not until two years later that they were confined to ranks below substantive corporal. No less a character than TE Lawrence, under the pseudonym of Aircraftsman TE Shaw qualified for his first badge 12th March 1925, and his second on 12th March 1931.
King’s Regulations and Air Council Instructions 1940 gave the periods as three, eight and thirteen years [same as RN, whereas RM followed army criteria], and the awards were still being made through the Second World War. My father wore one, for example.