What's This Button ?

Jules,
I have a set of tunic buttons that were given to me by Squadron Leader Joce Millard a few years ago.
He told me that it was fashionable at the time to swap buttons with airmen serving in the RAF from other countries.
The French button was given to him by either Georges Perrin or Rene Mouchotte (he couldn’t recall which one for certain) the Polish button was given to him by Gorzula. (Whilst all were with 615 Squadron).

I think it maybe a representation of the armorial lion from the Quebec Coat of Arms (adopted in 1939)…this would explain the Montreal makers

The Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Belgium bears a lion : the Belgian Lion, or Leo Belgicus, looks very much like that on the button, if it’s rotated right 90 degrees to have it standing upright. Mystery is why it’s attached to an RAAF uniform. There’s a great story there , methinks! Brian S.

Interestingly the lion does have a crowned head, but strangely it is maker marked on the back as ‘made in Montreal’ ?

Who knows?

Jules

In all things First!

Northolt 1940.

I do know that quite a few RAF pilots who flew in France during the Battle of Britain had a French air force top button (undone, of course!) and I have seen a WAAF officers tunic with RAF, RCAF and RAAF buttons with a pair of wings sewn inside (over her heart of course!) to reflect various boyfriends.

We used to (illegally) exchange buttons.

= Tim

The Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Belgium bears a lion : the Belgian Lion, or Leo Belgicus, looks very much like that on the button, if it’s rotated right 90 degrees to have it standing upright. Mystery is why it’s attached to an RAAF uniform. There’s a great story there , methinks! Brian S.

similar to the early BOAC and Cunard buttons Ju!