some regular personnel in the 1950s/1960s were recruited from a specific local area t
IIRC, that was called "Local Entry" or something similar, low-tech trade groups and lower rates of pay, leave etc. There were lots at Malta.
Some squadron badges also used to have "Fighter Squadron " or "Bomber Squadron" in the top arc rather than just "Squadron" as today.
Another suffix was TB for "Torpedo-Bomber" though I can't think of a particular sqn off hand, maybe I'm getting mixed up with the US Maureens.
How many actual, full-size front line squadrons do we have now anyway?