Prince William’s hat
Anyone who went to CX in the 90s remember the Wh*t**e hat ? Kept on top of a locker and worn when rostered with him. He would sign a check or training flight off only after establishing that the bamboo ring was in place. Hat returned to locker room for next guy. A steel dry cleaners coat hanger was good for putting a bash in.
Many moons ago at happy hour R.A.F. Leeming, someone had the temerity to flush Jim [email protected]@@t’s cape leather ‘Snowbirds’ jacket down the loo. One of the best mass bollockings to assembled wives, sweethearts, quite senior officers, and most of the CFS senior staff, that I have ever heard, then ensued. Whilst it was drying out, probably ruined of course, well, someone did it again. This time with his Canuck chip shop hat in the pocket. Whether anything further was done to it I couldn’t say. However, cue much mirth, and yet another profane bollocking, to the extent that he was escorted out of the mess.
They never did catch the culprit(s), although the finger was firmly pointed at the RN contingent. Many years later I met up with him again, reminded him of the story and he stated that it had improved the hat !
They never did catch the culprit(s), although the finger was firmly pointed at the RN contingent. Many years later I met up with him again, reminded him of the story and he stated that it had improved the hat !
I find it somewhat bemusing, and indeed amusing, that light blue officers refer to "hats" rather than "caps" as they are known to the dark blue, but invariably to "cap badges" rather than "hat badges"....
Meanwhile, back on track, I believe that Prince William's headgear looks just fine, especially since it actually fits him properly rather than being perched on top of his head.
Jack

Meanwhile, back on track, I believe that Prince William's headgear looks just fine, especially since it actually fits him properly rather than being perched on top of his head.

Jack
Fascinated to see two good conduct chevrons in wear as late as 1960s. Also only one rank chevron ....... this is man service?
I have never managed to find out when GCBs ceased to be awarded. My father wore one in 1945, and they go back in RAF time to 1919. T E Lawrence wore two a little later.
I have never managed to find out when GCBs ceased to be awarded. My father wore one in 1945, and they go back in RAF time to 1919. T E Lawrence wore two a little later.
From scratching around in Google I think the heraldic chevrons, point up, lower sleeve may turn out to show which "entry"/ seniority year the entrant was in.
False alarm for Good Conduct badges ........ in the good old days the RAF had the same system as the RN, up to three badges, carrying extra pay, and taking a good few years to accumulate. Although the army had a similar system dating back to 1836 or so, and men could have incredible numbers of badges, the extra pay was phased out in the years before the Great War.
False alarm for Good Conduct badges ........ in the good old days the RAF had the same system as the RN, up to three badges, carrying extra pay, and taking a good few years to accumulate. Although the army had a similar system dating back to 1836 or so, and men could have incredible numbers of badges, the extra pay was phased out in the years before the Great War.
Avoid imitations
I find it somewhat bemusing, and indeed amusing, that light blue officers refer to "hats" rather than "caps" as they are known to the dark blue, but invariably to "cap badges" rather than "hat badges"....
Meanwhile, back on track, I believe that Prince William's headgear looks just fine, especially since it actually fits him properly rather than being perched on top of his head.
Jack

Meanwhile, back on track, I believe that Prince William's headgear looks just fine, especially since it actually fits him properly rather than being perched on top of his head.

Jack
Fascinated to see two good conduct chevrons in wear as late as 1960s. Also only one rank chevron ....... this is man service?
I have never managed to find out when GCBs ceased to be awarded. My father wore one in 1945, and they go back in RAF time to 1919. T E Lawrence wore two a little later.
I have never managed to find out when GCBs ceased to be awarded. My father wore one in 1945, and they go back in RAF time to 1919. T E Lawrence wore two a little later.
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Apprentice chevrons could be a sight to behold, a Drum Major Sgt. Apprentice would have 3 chevrons on each arm to denote his rank, 3 inverted left arm Good conduct and 4 inverted right arm to denote the Drum Major.
Last edited by The Oberon; 22nd Jan 2023 at 05:53.
Gentlemen, many thanks, most enlightening.
My only mystery is when man-service GCB chevrons ceased to be worn ......... definitely still on show in WW II.
May I make a pedantic point and then wind my neck in?
CHEVRON is point up [French, as in the pointy things holding up a roof] in heraldry and therefore in badges. However, given that official documents often revert to "stripes" there is no point [see what I did there?] in labouring the chevron theme.
My only mystery is when man-service GCB chevrons ceased to be worn ......... definitely still on show in WW II.
May I make a pedantic point and then wind my neck in?
CHEVRON is point up [French, as in the pointy things holding up a roof] in heraldry and therefore in badges. However, given that official documents often revert to "stripes" there is no point [see what I did there?] in labouring the chevron theme.
You'll have to have a word with Kate though, Willie's collar is very creased.
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AP 1358 requires that
is mandatory with RAF No1 dress. However, the Royal Family continue to ignore this - presumably due to their attitude towards the late Duke?
A plain black Service issue tie is to be worn, secured with a Windsor knot.
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"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Further to post 26, that last picture shows one officer with three medals, the other with only two. Surely that more than compensates for the elder brother getting an extra sausage.