ATCO, just for the record, no you aren't. There is no such thing as the WRAF [note the correct use of capital letters] - you are a female NCO [note the correct use of capital letters] in the RAF. And no, you can't have a sword unless you go for a commission...
Rileydove - don't you think we have ditched enough tradition? And don't you think the Brigade of Guards have another role as well as standing round as camera fodder for the tourists [try getting near HM waving a gun about - could get very terminal].
SubdiFuge, I humbly apologise. Of course there were other Services and nationalities involved [inc the RN Sub Lt with artificial legs - Bader was not unique in that respect!]. The ref was to the RAF uniform in particular, hence my reply.