R.A.F PARA

[NEMO]

Just clearing out old files and found this again , shown it in the past but I thought it would be nice to show again for any new special forces fanatics on here . The wing is worn with a full semi circular backing .
Hope you enjoy .

[jdr]

Very nice Michael. I believe this to be a very early uniform / insignia combo - even if the photo isn't. It is my opinion that this is the earliest type of wing made. The split feathers, the cloud type canopy on an RAF blue backing and cut in a semi oval shape.

[SAS1]

Question is, why is he wearing it on the left breast?

There were two RAF Regiment parachute trained Squadrons during the war, and in Italy one wore their wings on the right breast the other on the right sleeve. Interviewing veterans a number of years ago they confirmed that they wore them on the right sleeve only back in the UK and were initially issued with the standard khaki backed wing.

[NEMO]

Two possible answers , 1st is he may be a parachute jump instructor a lot of the early instructors wore them on the breast just like the R.A.F crews they were in constant contact with as they thought it a bit more ` flash` and could get away with this in the early war years before regulations were more stringent

2nd answer is he is a member of S.O.E who often wore jump wings on their chest

[SAS1]

SOE is more plausible and what I'd thought upon seeing the photo before.

I'm not sure about the PJI. The RAF were extremely hot on such things, another example being the Air/Sea Rescue wing worn on the breast by men of No. 27 ASRU at Dover after they had them made by a tailor in the town. One man caught wearing them was severely reprimanded after being caught wearing them in 1941 and it led directly to the design and introduction of the ASR sleeve badge.

An SOE instructor maybe?

[Hoot]

The presence of the NFS man in the photo dates it as post August 1941. Just an observation.

[NEMO]

Originally Posted by SAS1

SOE is more plausible and what I'd thought upon seeing the photo before.

I'm not sure about the PJI. The RAF were extremely hot on such things, another example being the Air/Sea Rescue wing worn on the breast by men of No. 27 ASRU at Dover after they had them made by a tailor in the town. One man caught wearing them was severely reprimanded after being caught wearing them in 1941 and it led directly to the design and introduction of the ASR sleeve badge.

An SOE instructor maybe?

never new this many thanks .

[NEMO]

Originally Posted by Hoot

The presence of the NFS man in the photo dates it as post August 1941. Just an observation.

thank, you great point