Origin of RAF Motto
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Origin of RAF Motto
My son who is ex RAF tells me that there is a squadron whose motto is
"To Kill People and Break Their Stuff" but he can't remember which squadron.
Can anyone out there confirm or deny this please?
If true, which squadron?
Many thanks
Safe flying
Cusco
"To Kill People and Break Their Stuff" but he can't remember which squadron.
Can anyone out there confirm or deny this please?
If true, which squadron?
Many thanks
Safe flying
Cusco
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Is this what he thinks the motto is, as shown on the squadron badge/crest, or is it a rough translation from the latin which is often used? The motto as stated, is very unlikely IMHO
I can't exactly see the Chester Herald approving that motto....
It's most likely an extremely rough translation of the motto from Latin/Greek/Malay/etc or an unofficial motto (possibly based on a loose translation of the offical motto).
So, classical scholars and linguists, feast your eyes on this and work out which is the most likely!
It's most likely an extremely rough translation of the motto from Latin/Greek/Malay/etc or an unofficial motto (possibly based on a loose translation of the offical motto).
So, classical scholars and linguists, feast your eyes on this and work out which is the most likely!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Inspired to have a look at 6 Sqn's badge. It was different from what I thought. I thought they had a flying can opener following their Hurribomber success in the western desert. Is the current badge and earlier one?
I'm 99.9% certain that the 6 Sqn badge is the original, PN - and that it has always been the official badge. The Flying Canopener marking is unofficial/semi-official, in the same way that 112 Sqn's shark mouth had nothing to do with its badge (of a Helwan Cat) and 50 Sqn's running dingoes emblem had nothing to do with the actual squadron badge ('Dingo' being an early R/T call sign for 50 Sqn AIUI).
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Archimedes, thanks for that. I think I have seen the can opener in the shield but it could be fading memory. However that prompts a second question.
Has any sqn changed its crest from one approved style to another?
Has any sqn changed its crest from one approved style to another?
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"Stuff" !
In modern usage it means that the originator has such a limited vocabulary s/he cannot think of any other word to define the situation or object they are trying to describe.
In modern usage it means that the originator has such a limited vocabulary s/he cannot think of any other word to define the situation or object they are trying to describe.
Gentleman Aviator
Has any sqn changed its crest from one approved style to another?
Longer answer: The "normal" badge - the "Moon and paperknife" - was approved in 1944. However, since its formation in 1925, 600 had used - unofficially - the arms of the City surmounted by an eagle. A banner bearing this badge was presented to the squadron in 1934 or 35 by Sir Percy Greenaway a former (1932) Lord Mayor. It was presented in memory of Sqn Ldr S B Collett, a CO of the Sqn who was killed at the 1934 Hendon Air Display.
Sqn Ldr Collett was the son of Sir Charles Collett, who was Lord Mayor in 1933. Fast forward to 1951. The Sqn's Honorary Air Commodore, HM Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mum) was apprised of the history by the then CO, Sqn Ldr J P Meadows DFC (or Sqn Ldr David Proudlove, depending on your sources), who spoke of the Sqn's reluctance to sever this poignant link with the City. QE speaks to her old man (Geo VI) and very shortly afterwards, Air Ministry Order No N734 of 1951 annouced that the King had "conferred the special privilege upon the Squadron by approving a second badge for its use." As the "City" badge is similar to that on municipal vehicles, it is known as the "dustcart badge".
Here are the two badges:
Per Ardua ad Astra....
Through hardship to the stars.
Or as a certain Scottish Officer whose name shall not be uttered in a fighter station Mess would have it:
"Your hardship, my stars"
Through hardship to the stars.
Or as a certain Scottish Officer whose name shall not be uttered in a fighter station Mess would have it:
"Your hardship, my stars"
A bit off-thread I know, but since the subject of sqn badges has cropped up;
I'm led to believe that 230 Sqn's badge comes from the label on Tiger Beer. Apparently, the sqn was assembled in a bar in Singapore, trying to come up with a design for the badge, when someone looked at the bottle in his hand, and viola, a badge was born.
Also, I'm told that 22 Sqn's badge features the symbol for Pi due to the fact that during WW1, 22 Sqn's airfield was next door to that of 7 Sqn, therefore when 22 took off, they flew over 7; 22 over 7 = Pi.
Any other stories?
I'm led to believe that 230 Sqn's badge comes from the label on Tiger Beer. Apparently, the sqn was assembled in a bar in Singapore, trying to come up with a design for the badge, when someone looked at the bottle in his hand, and viola, a badge was born.
Also, I'm told that 22 Sqn's badge features the symbol for Pi due to the fact that during WW1, 22 Sqn's airfield was next door to that of 7 Sqn, therefore when 22 took off, they flew over 7; 22 over 7 = Pi.
Any other stories?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
RAF web site history of 22 Sqn says it was 7 Wing HQ, not 7 Sqn...
Badge: On a Torteaux, a Maltese Cross throughout, overall a 'pi' fimbriated - approved by King Edward VIII in May 1936. The Greek sign 'pi' denotes the Squadron's service in France with the 7th Wing, the pilots often taking off over the Wing's HQ - hence the 22 over 7, or 'pi'.
Badge: On a Torteaux, a Maltese Cross throughout, overall a 'pi' fimbriated - approved by King Edward VIII in May 1936. The Greek sign 'pi' denotes the Squadron's service in France with the 7th Wing, the pilots often taking off over the Wing's HQ - hence the 22 over 7, or 'pi'.
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Snapper41
230 Squadron
MOTTO: Kita chari jauh (Malay) - 'We search far'
BADGE: In front of a palm tree eradicated, a tiger passant guardant - approved by HRH King George VI in February 1937. The badge commemorated the Squadron's association with Malaya, the travellers palm being a reference to the long flights so often undertake and the tiger is said to have been inspired by the labels on the bottles on the local Singaporean brew.
'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'
230 Squadron
MOTTO: Kita chari jauh (Malay) - 'We search far'
BADGE: In front of a palm tree eradicated, a tiger passant guardant - approved by HRH King George VI in February 1937. The badge commemorated the Squadron's association with Malaya, the travellers palm being a reference to the long flights so often undertake and the tiger is said to have been inspired by the labels on the bottles on the local Singaporean brew.
'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'
Archimedes
Thanks for your motto list - though it does have the odd typo. For instance 24 Sqn's motto is 'In Omnia Parati' (not paratia) - which, when it was a Hastings sqn, meant 'we drop paratroops everywhere' Possibly still does.
airsound
Thanks for your motto list - though it does have the odd typo. For instance 24 Sqn's motto is 'In Omnia Parati' (not paratia) - which, when it was a Hastings sqn, meant 'we drop paratroops everywhere' Possibly still does.
airsound
Nunc est bibendum
This from the RAAF news on the issue of the RAAF (and RAF) official motto.
More great news from the RAAF available from here:
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafn...topstories.htm
A RAAF senior officer that I've had the pleasure of listening to always said that the primary role of the RAAF was to 'kill people and break their stuff'. It may not be politically nice to say but it probably is an apt description!
Just my view from the cheap seats.
THE AIR Force badge is steeped in history, as is its Latin motto, Per Ardua Ad Astra. But where did we get the words from?
In 1912, LTGEN Sir David Henderson the CO of the newly-formed [English] Royal Flying Corps (RFC) asked his officers to suggest a motto which would foster the RFC’s esprit de corps.
After many suggestions, the motto a ‘Journey to the Stars’, or ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ in Latin, was selected. It was approved by King George V on March 15, 1913.
The motto was subsequently adopted by the RAF after its formation in 1918 and by the newly-formed RAAF in 1921.
What do the words mean? So far, no one has been able to provide a literal translation of the motto, nor state its origin with any certainty. It was used for hundreds of years by an Irish family, the Mulvany’s, and a variation of it, ‘Ad Astra per Ardua’, was used as the motto by a Scottish family.
It also appears in a book by famous English author, Sir Henry Rider Haggard. He translated ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ as ‘Through Struggle to the Stars’.
Despite numerous attempts by the RAF and other British authorities, no authoritative translation has been possible, as Ardua and Astra have more than one meaning in Latin.
Other translations have included ‘Through Labour to the Stars’, ‘Through Adversity to the Stars’, ‘Through Hardship to the Stars’ and ‘Through Toil to the Stars’. However, the RAF translated it as ‘Through Struggles to the Stars’.
The matter may have rested there. However, in 2002 the RAAF Memorial in Canberra was being redeveloped. As part of the process, the then Chief of Air Force, AIRMSHL Angus Houston, signed off on what is now the official Air Force translation, “Through Struggle to the Stars.”
This aligned the translation with Commonwealth air forces and the dictionary meaning of the key word ‘struggle’: “to contend [resolutely] with an adversary or opposing force, task or problem; to strive”.
This is particularly apt in view of the RAAF’s early history and its proud heritage and traditions.
In 1912, LTGEN Sir David Henderson the CO of the newly-formed [English] Royal Flying Corps (RFC) asked his officers to suggest a motto which would foster the RFC’s esprit de corps.
After many suggestions, the motto a ‘Journey to the Stars’, or ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ in Latin, was selected. It was approved by King George V on March 15, 1913.
The motto was subsequently adopted by the RAF after its formation in 1918 and by the newly-formed RAAF in 1921.
What do the words mean? So far, no one has been able to provide a literal translation of the motto, nor state its origin with any certainty. It was used for hundreds of years by an Irish family, the Mulvany’s, and a variation of it, ‘Ad Astra per Ardua’, was used as the motto by a Scottish family.
It also appears in a book by famous English author, Sir Henry Rider Haggard. He translated ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ as ‘Through Struggle to the Stars’.
Despite numerous attempts by the RAF and other British authorities, no authoritative translation has been possible, as Ardua and Astra have more than one meaning in Latin.
Other translations have included ‘Through Labour to the Stars’, ‘Through Adversity to the Stars’, ‘Through Hardship to the Stars’ and ‘Through Toil to the Stars’. However, the RAF translated it as ‘Through Struggles to the Stars’.
The matter may have rested there. However, in 2002 the RAAF Memorial in Canberra was being redeveloped. As part of the process, the then Chief of Air Force, AIRMSHL Angus Houston, signed off on what is now the official Air Force translation, “Through Struggle to the Stars.”
This aligned the translation with Commonwealth air forces and the dictionary meaning of the key word ‘struggle’: “to contend [resolutely] with an adversary or opposing force, task or problem; to strive”.
This is particularly apt in view of the RAAF’s early history and its proud heritage and traditions.
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafn...topstories.htm
A RAAF senior officer that I've had the pleasure of listening to always said that the primary role of the RAAF was to 'kill people and break their stuff'. It may not be politically nice to say but it probably is an apt description!
Just my view from the cheap seats.