RCAF Padre Wing Commander's Epauletes

[GregN]

Hi guys, I found these at the local surplus shop. Would these be war-time?

Regards,

Greg

[RCAF_Mike]

Postwar, I think that small brass chaplain's badge was authorized in 1963 or 64. Nice slip ons!

[GregN]

Thanks Mike, did I get the rank right and what is the corresponding army rank?

G

[dragon166]

The rank shown is that of a Squadron Leader which equates to a Major in the Army.

[SAS1]

These were introduced a long time before that, about 1951/52. As such, they appear in the 1953 dress regulations for the RCAF. They were worn on the collar of the tunics, and on the shoulder strap of the shirt, raincoat and overcoat. I'd suggest the khaki ones are for a summer shirt and the blue ones for a raincoat.

During wartime RAF Chaplains rank began with Squadron Leader, whereas RCAF ones began as Flight Lieutenant.

[GregN]

Thanks guys!

G

[David Tremain]

If the ranks used in the RCAF are anything like the ranks used in the British Army, a Squadron Leader would be equivalent to Major, or Chaplain to the Forces 3rd Class in the RAChD.

David

[fred597]

You are 100% right about Squadron Leader being the Air Force Equivalent to Major.
Here is a list of the equivalents for Officer Ranks:
Pilot Officer = 2nd Lieutenant
Flying Officer = Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant = Captain
Squadron Leader = Major
Wing Commander = Lieutenant-Colonel
Group Captain = Colonel
Air Commodore = Brigadier-General
Air Vice Marshall = Major-General
Air Marshall = General.

[revdougal]

This side of the Pond, we do not have Brigadier General - our Brigadier rank (the most senior Field Officer) came in to the British Army in 1928, the appointment of Brig Gen having gone out in 1920/21 - and he counted as a General Officer. This led to much consternation as they had to come down to Colonel; so many went out, retaining their "General " rank.
The army "supplied" the newly formed RAF (Apr 1918) with its first "top chaplain", namely The Revd JR Walkey, wearing in the Army the rank of Brig Gen (crossed sword/baton); thus in the newly formed RAF he was ranked at Air Commodore level, and the Air Force List July 1946 shows the Chaplain-in-Chief as an AVM for the first time, thereby bringing him into line with the RN and Army Chaplaincies.
Thus the parallel ranks in UK are:
Air Commodore: Brigadier
Air Vice Marshal: Major General
Air Marshal: Lieutenant General
Air Chief Marshal: General

As far as RAF Chaplains were concerned until recent times, they entered the Service as "The Revd (Flt Lt)", and after one year they became "The Revd (Sqn Ldr)". Now they stay at Flt Lt level for 6 years before being advanced - the Army has done the same for some time, moving from CF4 to CF3 after 6 years, provided they pass the pro board. Pay is geared to years of service, not relative rank.

Furthermore, it took some time to decide on the Sovereign's title/rank in the RAF.
The Air Force List shows George V as General-in -Chief 1 Apr 18
Chief of the RAF 1 Aug 19
Marshal of the RAF 21 Jan 36