RAF No. 22 Maintenance Unit Lapel Badge

[Nelson1805]

I am trying to find a lapel badge for the RAF No. 22 Maintenance Unit based at RAF Silloth in Cumbria during World War II (picture attached). Can anyone point me in the right direction. I have obviously searched the internet high and low and thought I'd try some specialists in this forum. Thank you.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Nelson - I think this may be a dificult one to find. Hopefully one of our Member's may be a ble to help - if not put a post on the Wanted section

of the Sales Forum. Mervyn

[Chris Boonzaier]

A silly question, but were there different lapel badges for RAF units? I thought they all just had standard RAF Lapel badges?

Best

Chris

[peter monahan]

A silly question, but were there different lapel badges for RAF units? I thought they all just had standard RAF Lapel badges?

Best

Chris

Probably a veterans badge or meant to be worn in mufti, not on a uniform would be my guess, as your correct that lapel bagdes were not worn in uniform and would have been all the same if they were.

[Nelson1805]

I have managed to find a badge that covers the whole Maintenance Command (attached) however there were badges for each individual unit, Unit No. 22 was stationed at RAF Silloth. Unfortunately my knowledge of RAF badges is very limited so I'm unsure on what uniform it would have been worn (if any). As you suggestsed probably not on the lapel.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Nelson,

I think we are approaching the answer. I assumed you were talking about Laper or Collar badges for the RAF uniform.

Badges like the ones yyou show did of course exist and could be bought by soldiers, but they are not a uniform item, rather for civilian clothes.

Best

Chris

[peter monahan]

I'm not sure when the RAF switched to unit cap badges or shoulder badges from the universal RAF pattern, but would have thought it was well after WWII, Nelson. The various squadrons and stations had unit crests, but those were not displayed on aircraft or uniforms during the Second War, so I'm not sure when that would have changed - perhaps with the introduction of 'coveralls' as work dress, perhaps in the 1960s?

So, as Mervyn suggests, post your request on 'Wanted' in the Sales section. Also try eBay. Here's a site with 3 crests: http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/raf-plaque. And try these people: http://www.crestinsignia.co.uk

Remember to specify unit CREST, not badge, and then say you want it in lapel pin/pocket badge size and format.

Good luck

Peter

[Bilco]

Hi Gents,

These unit badges are emphatically not for wear on the uniform - although I have them being used as tie-pins, as long as they didn't show!

Every RAF Squadron and Station has an official Badge, designed by the Royal College of Arms and approved by the Sovereign and signed to show the Royal approval - the original artwork is proudly displayed by the unit. Most Squadrons were awarded their badges after WW1, and newer ones received theirs after they were formed - 617 Squadron, for example. This still occurs - see http://www.theinsightonline.co.uk/regulars/her-majesty-the-queen-approves-a-unit-badge-for-no-8-raf-force-protection-wing-headquarters/

The pin-back brooch-type badge, such as the one in post #1, is produced by various firms for an individual unit to sell to it's members or the general public - some firms also sell them to the public direct - see http://www.sallysbadges.com/shop.php?c=166

The one posted by Nelson1805 is interesting because it has the old-style crown, showing it dates from before the accession of Elizabeth II. I first became aware of these items in the late 1960s when I joined my second Squadron, No 58, and bought one which I still have. As aircrew I was more concerned to get the larger cloth version of the Squadron badge to sew onto my flying suit!

Bill

Edited October 29, 2013 by Bilco