Women's Division RCAF

[edstorey]

From my modest little collection.

[Bill A]

Thanks Ed. Note the construction. They are separate chevrons sewn on a black backing material, not embroidered into the backing.

[Bill A]

In the image posted before the sergeant's chevrons, the WD wears the summer uniform. I can't tell if the sergeant's chevrons she wears are smaller than the regular issue.

[edstorey]

By looking the first image I posted with that of the RCAF WD wearing the KD shirt, the embroidered rank is smaller when compared to the shoulder albatross insignia.

[ddaydodger]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Hi Bruce, the ones in the image are not even close to the type in your image. They are the type with two pieces of chevrons, the chevron tape is the gray/blue material sewn separately to a black backing material. The ones I imaged are the SWW pattern which was phased out shortly after the war. The estate where these came from had the cut down eagle shoulder badges SAS1 noted, both the white/silver embroidered and red embroidered pattern.
I did a bit more digging, and I think I found answer. The WD RCAF were issued a light weight cotton garment for summer wear, and they had armlets for wear on the garment. These may be the rank used on that garment.

I only used that image to show the size of the new RAF rank. The post war rank are of the same construction as wartime, but smaller. They were used up to the 1970/80 when the UK forces modernized their uniforms. I will post images of the ones I have when I get a chance.

[edstorey]

Here is an example of a post-WWII Corporal's rank insignia.

[Bill A]

Hi Bruce, Not sure what you are indicating. The rank badges are RCAF Women's Division, not RAF. The woman in question only served in Canada, not overseas. The insignia was Canadian issue, not RAF, and it was wartime. The badges, as I said appears to have been worn on the summer issue uniforms.

[Bill A]

Posting at the same time as Ed. Note the construction of Ed's example above versus the construction of this one. It is made of two separate chevrons.
Two more images of the ones from the start of the thread.

[ddaydodger]

Here are my examples of post war RAF/ATC rank. Exactly the same as the original images posted. Same construction as well. These were used well into the 1970s-early 80s.

[SAS1]

The small stripes directly above are not strictly ATC but RAF Apprentice. Cadets, both RAF and ATC generally wore RAF full sized. On occasion if a very small case they might have worn a small size but I've never seen it.

The stripes worn on the summer dress shown in the last photo on the previous page, are a totally different pattern.

[edstorey]

Yes, they are a 'different pattern'. I posted that image to show the smaller size of the KD rank insignia as opposed to the regular sized rank being worn on the SD.

[8Hussar]

Slightly off topic but in line with the photos, did the RCAF WD wear both CANADA over eagles and eagles alone as seen in the photos? Did it depend on where they were serving -in or out of Canada?

[edstorey]

Canada badges over Eagle were worn overseas.

[8Hussar]

Thanks. That was my assumption but wasn't sure.

[Bill A]

Here is an image of the post war RCAF corporal and sergeants chevrons. These were adopted sometime in the 1950's. As always, there was a period of time that both old and new patterns were in wear. By the late 1950's most nco's had the post war pattern.
Bruce, ones that you have posted (the bottom pair) are the larger pattern from what I can see. (At least five inches, where the ones in my hands are 4 inches.)