[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-01-03 AT 04:40 PM (GMT)]A friend of mine, recently obtained a RAF clock. It is a clock, fitted with silver wings, the RAF logo and, is inscripted with the text: “To LOFTY, from the lads of 204 SQ”. Does any body know what it is(apart from a clock), of which period it is, who was/is “Lofty”, why was it given to him and where ( and what is known about 204 SQ). I hope somebody knows more. BW Roger
Attachments:
By: keithmac - 12th January 2003 at 18:26
RE: Help wanted on RAF memorabilia
OK now for some more speculation! The wings probably mean that lofty was a pilot. Most presentations relate to what the individual did. If “Lofty” had been an engineer, ground or air, the presentation would have been more likely to have been a piston or something of that type. Kev also makes a good point on the informality of the inscription. Presentations from Airmen to Officers and vice versa are usually much more formal with rank included. My guess would be that “Lofty” was a SNCO pilot or WO pilot.
KeithMac
By: kev35 - 11th January 2003 at 19:36
RE: Help wanted on RAF memorabilia
Roger,
the clock definitely looks to have a King’s crown mounted on top of it as Keith suggests. There is some writing at the bottom of the face of the clock, this could be the makers name and might help to date the piece better. The inscription appears very informal so is probably more likely to be to and from enlisted men and/or NCO’s.
A little information about 204 Squadron. The squadron flew Sopwith Camels from their formation on 1st April 1918 to their first disbandment on 31st December 1919. Reforming in 1929 the squadron subsequently flew flying boats until their next disbandment on 30th June 1945. Equipment included the Southampton, the Scapa, the London I&II and the Sunderland I, II, III and V. Reformed again in August 1947 with Dakotas and then Valettas before flying Shackletons between April 1958 and their final disbandment in 1972.
As the clock seems to bear the King’s crown I think you can discount the period when they were flying Shackleton’s. If you can find out where the silver is from or whether or noy iy is hallmarked it may give you another clue as to the period it dates from. The squadron spent much of it’s servoce abroad.
Finally, ‘Lofty’ may be the shortened version of the surname Lofthouse. Of course, ‘Lofty’ may be a nickname applied to someone who is very tall, or conversely, and somewhat perversely, a nickname applied to someone who is very short.
Hope this might be of help.
Regards,
kev35
By: Merlin3945 - 11th January 2003 at 13:21
RE: Help wanted on RAF memorabilia
On the point of the crowns used it was the queen that was in power at this time as it is the queens crown being used and not the kings crown as you see with some of the badges etc.
Merlin
By: keithmac - 10th January 2003 at 21:32
RE: Help wanted on RAF memorabilia
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-01-03 AT 09:44 PM (GMT)]OK I’ll start the ball rolling on this with a guess at the date – pre 1952. Two reasons for this. The clock face looks very much like it has a luminous dial – good old radio activity like the aircraft instruments of the day, secondly and more to the point is the type of crown used. The crown used is the type used on RAF badges up until Queen Elizabeth came to the Throne, the modern one is different. The badges below will illustrate the difference. The 21 Sqn badge is the pre 1952 crown, the 12 Sqn badge is the post 1952 crown.
KeithMac
Attachments:
Sign In
January 10, 2003 at 4:37 pm