Unusual Collar Badge

[dragon166]

I recently bought this unusual collar badge. The use of the King‘s crown version of this badge is well known, on the Patrol Dress jacket and by musicians in Malaya. However no reason for the Queen’s crown version can be found, other than a comment in the Professor Thomas Collection, where he indicated it was worn on SNCO Mess Dress. As I can find no pictures of that uniform this can not be confirmed. The only other use I could think of is the original issues of the WRAF hostess style hat, introduced in 1960, a good 10 years before the introduction of the full size anodised badges. However personal recollections of some 1960 WRAF members was that they never had to clean the badge on their hats, which would suggest anodised versions.
The badge is also of unusual construction. The body is the standard pressing but the crown is cast and has been added, however the construction is factory made and indiscernible from the front.
Does anyone know of a use for this badge?

[RAY WALKLING]

Page 8 of Defence Council Instructions S26/1970 (RAF) authorises the continued wearing of Patrol Dress (Home), I think this solves your query.

[dragon166]

Thanks you for the reply Ray, do you have further detail from the DCI? The only Patrol Dress I have seen in photos or Museums are all pre 1939. In my service (1969 - 1999) I never saw any reference to or wearing of any type of Patrol Dress yet your reference suggests that it would have been worn in the 1940s/50s and 60s!!
Dave

[RAY WALKLING]

At my first dining in night, as a newly promoted Sergeant, at the Sgts' Mess RAF Stanmore Park in Jan 1962. On the top table amongst the guests was WO Fred Joyce (from the the staff of CAS) resplendent in his Patrol Dress, the only airman I ever saw wearing this uniform during my service (1954 to 1992).

[dragon166]

Thanks Ray for the info - shame there are no pictures.
Dave

[Frank Kelley]

I would certainly be interested to see any photographs of Patrol Dress actually being worn.