View Full Version : Mystery Badge
Exaviator
1st Apr 2018, 05:00
Does anyone recognise this Lapel Pin which dates back to WW2? It either a Squadron Badge or significant event pin.
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae22/Exaviator/Air%20Force%20Lapel%20Pin%20-%20RAF%20Sqn_zpsrq1ikhjf.jpg
NutLoose
1st Apr 2018, 11:11
It's not available to view, you get the photobucket disabled warning.
Daf Hucker
1st Apr 2018, 14:19
Getting more mysterious
Fareastdriver
1st Apr 2018, 15:14
It looks like a beer capacity meter.
I tried to get into Photobucket but I've got Adblock so I am persona non grata.
Shack37
1st Apr 2018, 20:54
Posting date????;)
langleybaston
1st Apr 2018, 20:58
is it a German equivalent MOT symbol?
Or a top of a new beer?
BEagle
1st Apr 2018, 21:20
If you use Firefox or Chrome, you can download an add-on which defeats Photobucket's ransomware blocking your images! Google for 'Photobucket fix'.
The badge shows the RAF albatreagle over two pale blue wavy lines (sea) against a dark blue background.
Incidentally, is anyone else being pestered by Photobucket trying to sell its products? I ignore their e-mails - they've had their Ratner moment!
4mastacker
1st Apr 2018, 21:36
If you use Firefox or Chrome, you can download an add-on which defeats Photobucket's ransomware blocking your images! Google for 'Photobucket fix'.
The badge shows the RAF albatreagle over two pale blue wavy lines (sea) against a dark blue background.
Incidentally, is anyone else being pestered by Photobucket trying to sell its products? I ignore their e-mails - they've had their Ratner moment!
I used the 'unsubscribe' option following their attempt at extortion after they blocked my account. I haven't received any of their e-mails since.
RedhillPhil
1st Apr 2018, 23:20
Air-Sea rescue boat crew?
Exaviator
2nd Apr 2018, 02:10
O.K. Have given Photobucket the flick...
Here is the photo once more:
https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg
The pilot that wore this badge flew with 129 Squadron during WW2 on both Spits and susequently Mustangs, but have been unable to find any reference to the significance of the badge. Maybe maritime escort ops! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
FAR CU
2nd Apr 2018, 03:11
Is anything else known about the man? Was there any aeromarine connection? Is it a lapel-sized badge? Could it have signified membership of some select band of aviators who guarded their exclusivity, keeping it to themselves?
Senior Pilot
2nd Apr 2018, 06:01
All members here have their own Photo Album which can be selected from User CP/ Control Panel/Pictures and Albums.
Much easier and no image issues/blocking as from Photobucket.
Perhaps a badge for those who ditched an aircraft. A bit like the Goldfish Club, but without the parachute?
WilliumMate
2nd Apr 2018, 07:16
From the history:
The squadron moved to the Orkneys to provide local air defence between September 1942 and February 1943, before returning to the south coast to resume its escort role. Anti-shipping strikes were also carried out at this time.
:confused:
Daf Hucker
2nd Apr 2018, 07:21
Possibly an early version of the RAF Escaping Society lapel pin? Did he crash land behind enemy lines at all?
http://www.cjbalm.com/auto-aero/images/raf%20escaping%20society%20badge.jpg
Daf Hucker
2nd Apr 2018, 07:25
Perhaps a badge for those who ditched an aircraft. A bit like the Goldfish Club, but without the parachute?
The Goldfish Club is for those that ended up in the brine, the Caterpillar Club was for those that elected to take the silk.
Stu666
2nd Apr 2018, 07:26
Early version Martime Branch badge maybe?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marine-Craft-Branch-Royal-Air-Force-RAF-Lapel-Pin-Badge-Gift-/371144975030
Wensleydale
2nd Apr 2018, 08:36
This one is quite close....
http://www.ournewhaven.org.uk/images/uploaded/scaled/RAF-Air-Sea-Rescue_s.jpg
RedhillPhil
2nd Apr 2018, 09:58
This one is quite close....
http://www.ournewhaven.org.uk/images/uploaded/scaled/RAF-Air-Sea-Rescue_s.jpg
Post #9. I rest my case.
Wensleydale
2nd Apr 2018, 10:16
...although this is the ASR boat crew badge.
https://www.kellybadges.co.uk/46101-home_default/air-sea-rescue-letters-asr-in-the-mast-of-a-boat-white-on-dark-blue--embroidered-air-force-branch-badge.jpg
FAR CU
2nd Apr 2018, 12:00
Post #9. I rest my case.
Yes, but explains only one part of the puzzle. Who had them? Who wore them? (or was this a one-off broach ?)
Lima Juliet
2nd Apr 2018, 21:15
It could be a lapel badge for the Royal Air Force Air Sea Rescue & Marine Craft Section Club:
http://www.asrmcs-club.com/images/asrmcs%20badge.gif
http://www.asrmcs-club.com/welcome.htm
Wensleydale
3rd Apr 2018, 07:52
It could be a lapel badge for the Royal Air Force Air Sea Rescue & Marine Craft Section Club:
The club wasn't formed until 1951.
At the risk of sounding like someone who spends far too much time binge watching episodes of Bargain Hunt with Christina Trevannion, it looks like a homemade sweetheart pin. Which folks used to exchange and wear as keepsakes.
Exaviator
4th Apr 2018, 03:21
Thanks for the continuing input Guys and I appreciate the interest.
On first seeing the pin I felt that it most certainly referred to a maritime squadron, probably operating flying boats. However, this belied the information that the pilot in question had flown both Spitfires and Mustangs whilst serving with 129 Squadron.
Looking into the squadron’s war time history I notice that in 1943 it was tasked with carrying out maritime operations, including both interdiction of surface ships and escorting fleet convoys.
The Mustang was more suitable than the Spitfire for this role as it had a longer range and carried more suitable firepower.
Whilst unfortunately I have been unable to find any direct reference to the badge I am also certain that it would have been worn by those pilots flying the Mustang and tasked with maritime ops.
Later in the war the squadron reverted back solely to the Spitfire and its original fighter role.
Of course this is mostly conjecture, so I continue to search for a more definitive answer...
parabellum
4th Apr 2018, 07:10
Remember seeing a great B & W film, "The Sea Shall Not Have Them" with Ronald Shiner as the Sgt I/C the boat.
BEagle
4th Apr 2018, 07:16
Parabellum, here you go:
https://youtu.be/Hc5SOCTtOrM
Wensleydale
4th Apr 2018, 08:47
This is the definitive book on the subject....
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51A4RHV0CQL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
parabellum
5th Apr 2018, 01:02
Thanks BEagle! Much appreciated, looks as though I got the Ronald Shiner bit wrong though!
NutLoose
18th Apr 2018, 12:16
Interesting shot of the goldfish club badge
https://rcaf403squadron.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/uncle-george.jpg?w=652
https://rcaf403squadron.wordpress.com/category/spitfire/
Wander00
18th Apr 2018, 18:19
AR1, and I thought I was the only Christina Trevannion heartthrob!
chevvron
30th Apr 2018, 18:07
Could the badge signify a pilot who has been 'rescued' by an RAF Marine Craft? If the 'owner' operated maritime escort duties, he may have had to ditch at some time.
MPN11
30th Apr 2018, 18:31
AR1, and I thought I was the only Christina Trevannion heartthrob!
I will exchange/intertwine pins with Christina any day she chooses!
I suspect I will have a long wait.
FantomZorbin
1st May 2018, 06:43
I reckon it'll be a very long wait MPN11, she is quite wise about antiques! :E
Tankertrashnav
1st May 2018, 09:28
I reckon it'll be a very long wait MPN11, she is quite wise about antiques!
Very unkind, F-Z (but very funny) :D By the way Catherine Southon's my choice - not shy about showing her legs off!
On a more serious point, considering how rapidly things moved during the war in the development of aircraft, etc, I have always thought it was tragic that so many aircrew, having survived a ditching, must have succumbed to hypothermia in those open liferafts before rescue arrived. When were the first enclosed liferafts of the type we were familiar with introduced?