RFC observers badge origins

[tarabelle]

Hey

A friend sent me this he was helping me with something else I thought it might interest some it explains the original of an unofficial badge I'm guessing the badge he talks about is the one I found a pic of online in sure there are members that already know but it might interest other

This is the hansard reference vol 407 18th January 1945

T X

[Alex Rice]

Very nice! I have seen a picture of those somewhere else, I think on one of those posters that were given out during the war or between wars. Very interesting.
Cheers,
Alex

[Insignia]

Warren Carroll wrote a few pages about this wing in his book Eagles Recalled

[tarabelle]

Hi

The whole transcript talks about who could were wings in ww2 from WW1 and theres a bit of a row about observers not being allowed to wear their badge anyways it says about observers from the army having to take up new pilots it's all interesting and theres a row between the RNAS and RFC about getting engines

T X

[tarabelle]

It says that observers would then train to be pilots and thats what the badge was all about or that's what I think it says anyways as they were proud of having been an observer
TX

[tarabelle]

So Insignia, does that mean the mystery has been solved ?

T X

[mike_vee]

A very interesting topic , here is the full debate "BRITISH ARMY (R.F.C. OBSERVER'S BADGE)" as published in HANSARD 18 January 1945 .

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-h...bservers-badge


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[Insignia]

The "transcript of BRITISH ARMY (R.F.C. OBSERVER'S BADGE)" as published in HANSARD 18 January 1945 is something I’d not read before and is absolutely fascinating.

To date I’m not aware of any contemporary photographs turning up with the combined RFC Pilot Observer being worn, it would be great to see one given there’s enough evidence albeit some anecdotal that it was worn although unofficially.

[tarabelle]

Glad could give something back to the forum

T X

[mike_vee]

A bit more information.

In Warren Carroll's book he mentions/shows the plate from the Boy's Own Paper by Captain V. Wheeler-Holohan but couldn't give an accurate date.

NB. Captain Vincent Wheeler-Holohan served with the 12th London Regiment and published the following books:
"Rangers' Historical Records from 1859 to the Conclusion of the Great War" (1921)
"Divisional and Other Signs" (1920)


The plate is titled "More Badges and Emblems of the Imperial Armies" , this came from the December 1917 issue of the paper.

https://colinmonteath.photoshelter.c...00ZvngDWrL9.8/

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[mike_vee]

In Mark Hillier's book "Royal Flying Corps Kitbag" he quotes a memo , 87/9062(AO2), sent from Lieut.Colonel W.Warner to the RFC (22 March 1917) stating:

Instances have occured of pilots wearing wings with an O underneath, it is notified that no badge of this pattern has been sanctioned . Disciplinary action will be taken in the event of any pilot or observer found wearing an unauthorised badge.

So it appears that the badge was a short lived , unofficial , private purchase item and this could explain the lack of contemporary photos.


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[Padre]

That is a fantastic item to have unearthed, and thank you too Mike Vee for providing a link to the Hansard piece.

It is certainly the first concrete evidence of the pilots/O badge and it having been worn and why.