Propeller(?) Badge for ID

[dragon166]

To my mind the badge police would have come down hard on anyone wearing a RFC badge in such a manner so no, I can't offer any reasoning behind the item you ask about.
Dave

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by dragon166

To my mind the badge police would have come down hard on anyone wearing a RFC badge in such a manner so no, I can't offer any reasoning behind the item you ask about.
Dave

Appreciate your thoughts, Dave. Many thanks.

JT

[Frank Kelley]

Indeed, but, the rank badge actually worn by a 1st Class Air Mechanic in the RFC looked nothing like the badge in the original post.

Originally Posted by Phil2M

Royal Flying Corps

[Jelly Terror]

The badge in question, reproduced here by kind permission of the owner:

94863E76-EC9D-4592-B9D4-47A2FE1CD8B9.jpeg

Regards,

JT

[dragon166]

That is definitely NOT the RFC badge. It looks more like an airship propeller.
Dave

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by dragon166

That is definitely NOT the RFC badge. It looks more like an airship propeller.
Dave

Thanks Dave, and once again, apologies for my laughably poor representation of the badge in the OP.

Ever seen anything like this before?

JT

[leigh kitchen]

A foreign insignia appropriate to the wearer's "trade" worn as a bit of walking out swank?

[Frank Kelley]

Is it a studio portrait, is the tunic his own or merely a "prop" no pun intended, can we see the rest if it, do you actually know the mans identity, if so, if I were you, I would take a very careful look throughout WO363 and WO364 to ascertain his actual service and exact units if there are any extant papers for him.

Just from the image you show, I certainly do not believe that "badge" to be a 1st Class Air Mechanics rank badge, as there was simply not enough variation in their manufacture and as already mentioned, it appears completely different.

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

The badge in question, reproduced here by kind permission of the owner:

Attachment 191264

Regards,

JT

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Is it a studio portrait, can we see the rest if it, do you actually know the mans identity, if so I would take a very careful look throughout WO363 and WO364 to ascertain his actual service and exact units if there are any extant papers for him.

Just from the image you show, I certainly do not believe that "badge" to be a 1st Class Air Mechanics rank badge, as there was simply not enough variation in their manufacture and as already mentioned, it appears completely different.

No, afraid I don’t know his name, nor am I able to post the whole image at this time.

It is a studio portrait and, based on the the subject’s trench cap, dates to post-1916.

Not much to go on really. Thanks to everyone for the help to date.

JT

[3dg]

Hello all,
Just got off the Great War Forum, and the owner of the photo has said I can reproduce the whole image.
Definitely 7th London's, cap and cloth T/7/LONDON.
Just the mystery propeller badge, I've no idea???

[High Wood]

There are only two medal index cards that show a member of the 7th battalion London Regiment also serving with the RFC. There are two more examples of men listed as 7th London and RAF, one of whom was commissioned into another battalion of the London Regiment before transferring to the RAF, The other had several changes of unit before joining the RAF.

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by High Wood

There are only two medal index cards that show a member of the 7th battalion London Regiment also serving with the RFC. There are two more examples of men listed as 7th London and RAF, one of whom was commissioned into another battalion of the London Regiment before transferring to the RAF, The other had several changes of unit before joining the RAF.

That’s great Simon. Thank you.

What we don’t yet know here on the BCMBF, is that the photo is signed on the reverse by someone called Frank. Assuming the subject of the photo is the signatory, then there is an outside chance the fourth MIC you show is in with a shout, the middle initial being ‘F’.

JT

[manchesters]

Interesting photo.

I think you are all distracted by the shape and assuming its a propellor and therefore RFC, which I dont think it is.

He is clearly a 7th London soldier and not in the RFC and therefore wouldnt wear a RFC rank badge on his arm, breast or anywhere else.

He would have an RFC uniform and badges if he was in the RFC.

It must be something else that we havent deduced yet.

Still thinking.

regards

[leigh kitchen]

A charity "flag day" paper symbol on a pin (not that I've seen one like that).

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

A charity "flag day" paper symbol on a pin (not that I've seen one like that).

Yes, I think something along those lines.

regards