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#1
13-09-18, 12:43 AM
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SOLVED: Woman 'dressing up' in hybrid RAF uniform 1918-1921
Can anyone help myself and Drew-1918 (from the Great War Forum) with a cap badge and uniform puzzler?
This photo dates from approx 1918-1921. We are not certain whether it was taken in the UK or in France/Flanders, or even in the Rhineland. It shows a woman in uniform, possibly a driver in one of the auxiliary forces, but it could also be one of those posed Sweetheart in uniform portraits one sometimes sees. The puttees and boots counter the possibility of a civilian bus driver role or similar. The jacket appears to be 'patrol' style with scalloped breast pockets and a sewn in cloth waist belt, but lacking epaulettes and shoulder patches. Difficult to be sure of the jacket's colour, but it does not seem to be khaki SD with a much finer surface finish. The upper surface of the hat visor is glossy. Other than the cap badge and possibly the buttons, there is no sign of any insignia, nor of brassards etc. There is nothing useful written on the reverse nor in the section of the image I have cropped off. I've done some close-ups of the head and the cap bage. The latter is also presented with the colour inverted - sometimes this helps with the badge shape. Does anyone have any idea what this lady's role and unit might be? All help welcome! Mark Last edited by MBrockway; 13-09-18 at 10:59 AM. Reason: Topic title updated 
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#2
13-09-18, 01:09 AM
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Maybe stating the obvious but the cap badge looks like an RAF one to me. So an RAF (WRAF) driver?
__________________
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Last edited by Phil2M; 13-09-18 at 01:19 AM. Reason: Addition of brackets
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#3
13-09-18, 08:01 AM
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Looks like a lady wearing brother or boyfriend's uniform for the photo?
That was a common practise during WWI. I note the tunic buttons up male style and the cap's too big, padded out with a scarf of similar underneath.
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#4
13-09-18, 08:52 AM
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Quote:
The recipient of the photo was in the KRRC, ex RB. On the Western Front and then out in India till 1921 - hence my interest. No obvious RAF connection on the recipient's side, but that does not exclude the dressing up angle. If the photo is in Blighty, the puttees and boots seem a bit posed, or would this be the normal uniform for RAF/WRAF on Home duties? Mark
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#6
13-09-18, 10:24 AM
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Quote:
Looks 100% conclusive then. Thanks for all the inputs Folks! Mark (and p.p. Drew-1918)
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#7
13-09-18, 09:32 AM
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Quote:
I feel It's as you considered - dress up for the photo, man's uniform, RAF badge.
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#8
13-09-18, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
The RAF is terra incognita for me, but initial digging points to the jacket being entirely consistent with RAF. One web source mentions the single pronged belt buckle was replaced by two after July 1918, which dates the jacket, though not the photo. The hat appears to have been male issue only and never used by the WRAF. If that's correct, then the photo MUST be a posed 'Sweetheart' concoction. Anyone disagree? Mark
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#9
13-09-18, 08:28 AM
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I looked at RAF/WRAF, but t'Internet results were swamped with WW2 examples. My primary interest is the Army and these badges are not in K&K, which stops at the RFC! Much appreciated. Mark
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