Confirmation of RAF uniform please

[Pete Elliott]

Hi all, I’m trying to find any military records of my father in law Ronald Frank Edwin Fieldhouse who served in ww11 in Africa and thankfully returned home safe and sound, until recently we thought he served in the army, but I have a photo of him in uniform and I’m assuming that the “ wings” on his shoulder denotes the RAF,any help would be greatly appreciated, he was born in 1922 and in ‘39 lived in Monument Road Birmingham, will try to attach photo, wish me luck

 

[pjmburns]

I assume you know that you won't find any WW2 records online. They are still subject to the 100 year closure rule.
Next of kin can apply providing proof of death but there is no guarantee you will get them.

Get a copy of military records of service

Get military records of service for the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force - who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

 

[ChrisM]

Definitely RAF from around that time. He also has a "VR" insignia. This would normally mean Volunteer Reserve. Worth researching this a bit further.

The RAF Volunteer Reserve was an organisation established in the 1930s to train volunteers to become pilots - and, normally, officers. This means that the image could conceivably be prewar. The uniform is that of an ordinary airman (i.e. not commissioned) but whether men in this voluntary reserve were kitted out in that way before joining the RAF proper, I don't know. Nor whether, after joining up, they continued to show the insignia even if, for one reason or another, they had not become aircrew.

As I say, worth investigating further!

Chris

 

[Pete Elliott]

I assume you know that you won't find any WW2 records online. They are still subject to the 100 year closure rule.
Next of kin can apply providing proof of death but there is no guarantee you will get them.

Get a copy of military records of service

Get military records of service for the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force - who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

Thanks pjmburns, I’ve been searching the national archives in the section for army with no results shown , so will try again using your link , will keep you updated thanks again

Pete

I assume you know that you won't find any WW2 records online. They are still subject to the 100 year closure rule.
Next of kin can apply providing proof of death but there is no guarantee you will get them.

Get a copy of military records of service

Get military records of service for the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force - who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

 

[pjmburns]

found this (note only an index)
on

Forces War Records - Historical military records

Discover original military records including personal documents, photos, and stories from brave men and women who served. Access sources from the US and UK national archives today.

uk.forceswarrecords.com

 

[Pete Elliott]

Definitely RAF from around that time. He also has a "VR" insignia. This would normally mean Volunteer Reserve. Worth researching this a bit further.

The RAF Volunteer Reserve was an organisation established in the 1930s to train volunteers to become pilots - and, normally, officers. This means that the image could conceivably be prewar. The uniform is that of an ordinary airman (i.e. not commissioned) but whether men in this voluntary reserve were kitted out in that way before joining the RAF proper, I don't know. Nor whether, after joining up, they continued to show the insignia even if, for one reason or another, they had not become aircrew.

As I say, worth investigating further!

Chris

Thanks Chris for your input,he certainly looked very young in that photo, will investigate the VR link , I’ve put another couple of photos from his time in Africa where he is looking a little older but not by much , will keep you updated thanks again

Pete

 

[Pete Elliott]

Definitely RAF from around that time. He also has a "VR" insignia. This would normally mean Volunteer Reserve. Worth researching this a bit further.

The RAF Volunteer Reserve was an organisation established in the 1930s to train volunteers to become pilots - and, normally, officers. This means that the image could conceivably be prewar. The uniform is that of an ordinary airman (i.e. not commissioned) but whether men in this voluntary reserve were kitted out in that way before joining the RAF proper, I don't know. Nor whether, after joining up, they continued to show the insignia even if, for one reason or another, they had not become aircrew.

As I say, worth investigating further!

Chris

Thanks Chris for your input,he certainly looked very young in that photo, will investigate the VR link , I’ve put another couple of photos from his time in Africa where he is looking a little older but not by much , will keep you updated thanks again

Pete

 

[Vivienne14]

Cap was a darkish, mid-blue (not navy), I remember my Dad's RAF cap like this. His had a flash across the top in this photo, but I dont remember it on the one he kept. Think he was very young, too, in this photo. (I now wonder if this was when he was a cadet). He kept the cap in a massive square chest/box with flight maps ( I doubt he got those through official channels). But they obviously meant a lot to him.

 

[Donbogen]

Cap was a darkish, mid-blue (not navy), I remember my Dad's RAF cap like this. His had a flash across the top in this photo, but I dont remember it on the one he kept. Think he was very young, too, in this photo. (I now wonder if this was when he was a cadet). He kept the cap in a massive square chest/box with flight maps ( I doubt he got those through official channels). But they obviously meant a lot to him.

Nice photo
all i can tell you is that hes wearing a 37 Patt belt or maybe a sort lived 25 Patt
my Dad had both

 

[ChrisM]

Cap was a darkish, mid-blue (not navy), I remember my Dad's RAF cap like this. His had a flash across the top in this photo, but I dont remember it on the one he kept. Think he was very young, too, in this photo. (I now wonder if this was when he was a cadet). He kept the cap in a massive square chest/box with flight maps ( I doubt he got those through official channels). But they obviously meant a lot to him.

Aircrew under training, I think, Viv.

Chris

 

[Chris Weeks]

Hi all, I’m trying to find any military records of my father in law Ronald Frank Edwin Fieldhouse who served in ww11 in Africa and thankfully returned home safe and sound, until recently we thought he served in the army, but I have a photo of him in uniform and I’m assuming that the “ wings” on his shoulder denotes the RAF,any help would be greatly appreciated, he was born in 1922 and in ‘39 lived in Monument Road Birmingham, will try to attach photo, wish me luck

He was RAF. The 'wings' are an eagle and one on each shoulder is the standard other-ranks shoulder marking. Commissioned ranks do not wear the marking. The dark square underneath is the VR (Volunteer Reserve) badge. The VR was established in 1936. This badge differentiated the VR personnel from the Regulars and those of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. VR personnel were intended for aircrew training as pilots, observers or wireless operators. Observers were later renamed as Navigator and their flying brevet changed from a single wing with an 'O' at the centre to one with an 'N'. Many VR personnel retained the badge, even after the requirement to wear it was rescinded in 1943; the Air Ministry deemed the badge as divisive. I've had a quick look for him on the RAFVR Commissioned List, but his name does not appear, so presuming that he passed his training and qualified for aircrew (not all did), he would have been an NCO - initially Sergeant - for the duration of his service.

 

[Chris Weeks]

Vivienne, the white flash on his forage cap indicates that he was U/T (Under Training) as aircrew in the RAFVR. See my comments to Peter (above) on the VR. The belt that he's wearing is the standard-issue Webbing Belt; it's not always worn with that particular uniform - the regular belt was a cloth one of the same material as the uniform - but often was, particularly during training. There are brass buckles at the back of the belt to which other equipment such as webbing straps, large and small packs, water bottle, etc can be attached. All webbing had to be blancoed with Air Force Blue Blanco. Do not leave trace of Blanco on the brass-work or vice-versa; to do so would incur the wrath of the Drill Instructor and probably lead to seven days Jankers!
For folks to check if/when an RAFVR man may have been later commissioned, see https://www.unithistories.com/officers/RAFVR_officers_F01.html