Large Cross inscribed to RAF

[billy]

Hi quite large Silver Plated Cross with Dutch like Crown but St. George slaying a Dragon.

On the reverse, “RAF” - 118112022 - AB+

This is a very large number, but it is what is scratched onto the rear?

Can anyone help with putting a name or any information towards this item please?
Do you think he would wear this or is it hung around your neck on a Ribbon?

Many thanks Billy

[mike_vee]

Looks like a souvenir/copy version of a Dutch Cross of Resistance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Cross_of_Resistance

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[billy]

Interesting reading and the one in my possession lacks any wording but how to explain the rear markings? Hope there is a way to figure out the identity of the Number?

[dumdum]

Hi

Possible that it is some type of novel attempt at an ID tag. Could "AB+" be the blood group?

[Insignia]

The number looks too long to be a RAF service number

[billy]

Exactly my thoughts! My own service number for the RAF was an A then 7 numbers, 1940,s ought to have been a lot shorter than mine yet on this badge it’s far longer, could there have been two numbers? A Dutch and then a British set?

[bess55]

If hes gine to the trouble of putting his blood type, could the long number be his service number then date of birth? The last six appear to me as 11/10/22 . . . Which would have made 'him' 17 years old in 1939 at the very least . . .

[billy]

So that leaves 118

Then 11-10-22 was when it was scratched onto rear?

Or born 22nd October 1911 making him 29 years old this works in a way but would the Service Number of 118 make sense? Then again if he was Dutch say? and he was of the first to join a Free Dutch Unit being the 118th to join would he take on this number?

Appears to be Silver plated onto Copper, not valuable in of itself but with the RAF and then the AB+ this indicates to me Service of some sort, doesn’t have to be a Pilot but this would work, in that a mechanic wouldn’t be wearing a “lucky charm?” But a Pilot would ( for luck and in combat superstition plays a part? )

118 still seem too low a number to support this though!

All the best billy

[mike_vee]

Found a list of RAF service number blocks :

1149978 to 1150000 Mar 1941 Dutch
1150001 to 1250000 Apr 1940 Cardington

Could “RAF” - 118112022 - AB+ indicate someone from RAF Cardington. (22 either year of birth or age ?)

The badge/medallion could have been given to them as a gift by one of the many Dutchmen who trained/passed through RAF Cardington during and after WW2.

https://www.rafcardington.org.uk/DutchAirForce


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