WW2 RAF Officer Info —Please

Interesting also that the ‘VR’ collar badges were officially withdrawn in 1943 – although I am sure some personnel would have retained them as long as possible,and it would be obvious where they had been even when removed : )

Hello Jules,
Yes, the 39-45 Star was originally instituted as the 1939-43 Star. The Africa Star was also awarded during the conflict, both were ‘ribbon only’ at the time.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1943-08-03a.2091.4

That’s interesting zidante, thank you for that.
Am I right in thinking that the star we all refur to as the 1939-45 star, was actually the 1939-43 star ?
I have a couple of tunics that belonged to casualties , both wear only one ribbon, the above star, one being killed in 1944, the other 1945. I wonder when the order was issued for the wearing of this ribbon on tunics ?

Cheers
Jules

You are welcome Jules. When the time comes I would suggest that you are looking for someone commissioned 1942 to mid 1943 (as he wears an N brevet and VR collar studs, most Observers in post before the Navigator category was introduced kept their O brevet as I understand). He was operational at least around the time that the jacket is dated as that would allow the minimum qualification for the 1939-45 Star and the Air Crew Europe Star which needed two months operational service, for each, before 5th June 1944. The rosette on the ACE denotes a clasp, probably the France and Germany Star for operations after 6th June 1944, but it isn’t impossible that it is for the Atlantic Star. The Defence Medal may well have been qualified for during overseas training and time spent between tours. It would also appear probable that the officer concerned stayed in the service after the war, hence the ribbons. The campaign stars were distributed from 1947 onwards I believe although the ribbons may have been earlier, if anyone knows better on that I’d be happy to find out. Interestingly, there is no DFC ribbon which might be expected for an officer who had, for example, completed an operational tour with Bomber Command. Perhaps he was injured and didn’t complete a tour? Maybe not Bomber Command? POW might also be a possibility?

Thanks to you both. I’m sure more information will be made available in years to come.

regards

Jules

🙂 I had you in mind for the AFL Paul!

Looked at AFL no obvious candidates

Sorry Jules, that’s a difficult one. I suggest a trip to Kew to The National Archives and perhaps a flick through The Air Force List in the library there for 1943/44 as a start. Then perhaps follow up leads by searching The London Gazette online.

Unless someone on here has The Air Force List to hand. That’s not a very stand-out name.