Badges, Standards and Battle Honours

From its early days units of the RAF adopted badges and emblems to display on their aircraft in order to provide a means of identifying them from other units. Fighter units took this a stage further and in the 1920s were allowed to adopt official identification markings on the wings and fuselages of their aircraft but these were not badges. In March 1935, it was decided to standardise on the format of the badge design with the College of Heralds and the Air Ministry appointing the Chester Herald as the first Inspector of RAF Badges. The first tasks were to design a standard frame for the badges and determine the qualifications needed before a unit could apply for its own badge. The frame adopted is shown below (left),

Each unit would decide on the emblem or device to place in the central portion of the badge and on what motto they wished to place in the scroll at the base of the badge, which would then be submitted to Inspector of RAF Badges, together with the reasons for the choice and a fee. The Inspector would then check that the design met heraldic standards or adapt it, if necessary, before passing it to the Chief of the Air Staff for approval, who in turn would submit it to the Monarch for final authorisation. Once approved, but not before, the badge could be applied to the unit's correspondence, equipment and aircraft.

Units which fail to meet the requirements laid down above can adopt a badge based on that of their higher controlling formation, examples include the badge of RAF Cowden, a weapons range in Yorkshire and RAF HQ Units at USAF bases in the UK, which used the Strike Command and Support Command badges respectively.

The policy referred to above was formally announced in AMO A14/36 of 16 January 1936.

Amended by AMO A150/36 dated 25 June 1936 and AMO A302/36 dated 10 December 1936

Amended by AMO A24/37 - Standard Position for Unit Badges on Aircraft and Mechanical Transport dated 28 January 1937 and AMO A86/37 dated 1 April 1937.

The first batch of badges authorised was announced as shown in Air Ministry Order A142/1936 dated 18 June 1936, below: -

His Majesty The King has graciously approved the use of the under mentioned badges and mottoes by the following units, and they may now be taken into use as laid down in AMO A.14136.

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	A sun in splendour divided per bend by a flash of lightning.	In Futurum Videre
No 15 (Bomber) Squadron	A Hind's head affrontee erased at the neck between wings elevated and conjoined in base	Aim Sure
No 18 (Bomber) Squadron	A Pagasus rampant	Animo et Fide
No 22 (Torpedo-Bomber) Squadron	On a torteau, a Maltese Cross throughout, over all a "π" fimbriated	Preux et Audacieux
No 33 (Bomber) Squadron	A Stag's head affrontee couped at the neck.	Loyalty
No 201 (Flying Boat) Squadron	A Seagull, wings elevated and addorsed.	Hie et ubique
No 207 (Bomber) Squadron	A winged Lion statant	Semper Paratus
No 604 (County of Middlesex) (Fighter) Squadron	A seax	Si vis pacem para bellum

Air Ministry Order A159/1936 dated 2 July 1936 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 2 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	Three concentric circles over all a Wake knot	Hereward

Air Ministry Order A186/1936 dated 6 August 1936 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 1 (Fighter) Squadron	The numeral "1" winged	In Omnibus Princeps
No 19 (Fighter) Squadron	Between wings elevated and conjoined in base, a dolphin head down	Possunt quia Posse Videntur.
No 43 (Fighter) Squadron	A gamecock	Gloria Finis
No 55 (Bomber) Squadron	A cubit arm, the hand grasping a spear.	Nil nos Tremefacit
No 56 (Fighter) Squadron	A phoenix	Quid si Coelum Ruat
No 216 (Bomber Transport) Squadron	An eagle, wings elevated, holding in the claws a bomb	CCXVI Dona Ferens

Air Ministry Order A256/1936 dated 29 October 1936 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 17 (Fighter) Squadron	A gauntlet	Excellere Contende
No 25 (Fighter) Squadron	On a gauntlet a hawk rising affrontee	Feriens Tego
No 27 (Bomber) Squadron	An elephant	Quam Celerrime ad Astra.
No 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron.	In front of a demi pegasis a fasces	Quiequid Agas Age
No 35 (Bomber) Squadron	A horse's head winged	Uno Animo Agimus
No 39 (Bomber) Squadron	A winged bomb	Die Noctuque
No 45 (Bomber) Squadron	A winged camel	Per Ardua Surgo
No 70 (Bomber Transport) Squadron	A demi winged lion erased	Usquam
No 111 (Fighter) Squadron	In front of two swords in satire a cross potent quadrat charged with three seaxes fesswise in pale.	Adstantes
No 601 (County of London) (Fighter) Squadron	A winged sword	-
No 610 (County of Chester) (Bomber) Squadron	A garb	Alifero tollitur axe ceres
No 6 Flying Training School	A hand holding a torch	Aspice et Imitare
No 2 Armoured Car Company	A winged wheel	Nunquam non paratus

Air Ministry Order A293/1936 dated 3 December 1936 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 9 (Bomber) Squadron	A Bat	Per Noctem Volamus
No 16 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	Two keys in saltire the wards upwards and outwards,	Operta Aperta.
No 26 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	A Springbok's head couped	N wagter in die lug
No 54 (Fighter) Squadron	A Lion rampant somee de Lys	Audax Omnia Perpeti.
No 64 (Fighter) Squadron	A Scarabee	Tenax Propositi
No 607 (County of Durham) (Fighter) Squadron	A winged Lion salient, the hind legs also winged.	-
No 611 (West Lancashire) (Bomber) Squadron	In front of a Trident a Rose	Beware Beware

Air Ministry Order A17/1937 dated 21 January 1937 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 32 (Fighter) Squadron	A hunting horn stringed	Adeste Comites
No 57 (Bomber) Squadron	Issuant from two logs fesswise in saltire a phoenix	Corpus non animum muto
No 65 (Fighter) Squadron	In front of fifteen swords in pile, the hilts in base, a lion passant.	Vi et Armis
No 84 (Bomber) Squadron	A scorpion	Scorpiones Pungunt
No 104 (Bomber) Squadron	A thunderbolt	Strike hard
No 2 Flying Training School	A winged torch	Verbum sat Sapienti.

Air Ministry Order A69/1937 dated 11 March 1937 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 12 (Bomber) Squadron	A fox's mask	Leads the field
No 40 (Bomber) Squadron	A broom	Hostem a coelo pellere
No 41 (Fighter) Squadron	A double-armed cross	Seek and destroy
No 74 (Fighter) Squadron	A tiger's face	I fear no man
No 203 (Flying Boat) Squadron	A winged sea horse	Occidens Oriensque
No 230 (Flying Boat) Squadron	In front of a palm eradicated a tiger passant guardant	Kita Chari Jauh
No 11 Flying Training School	Two dexter bands couped at the wrist holding a winged torch	Passim ad Astra
School of Air Navigation	A star of eight points	Reete Volare

Air Ministry Order A160/1937 dated 20 May 1937 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 29 (Fighter) Squadron	An eagle in flight preying on a buzzard	Celer et Audax
No 38 (Bomber) Squadron	A heron volant	Ante Lucem
No 49 (Bomber) Squadron	A greyhound courant	Cave Canem
No 66 (Fighter) Squadron	A rattlesnake	Cavete Praemomui
No 151 (Fighter) Squadron	On a hurt an owl affrontee wings elevated alighting on a seax	Foy pour devoir
No 269 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron	An ancient ship in full sail	Omnia Videmus

Air Ministry Order A211/1937 dated 1 July 1937 added: -

Unit	Badge	Motto
No 11 (Bomber) Squadron	Two eagles volant in pale	Ociores acrioresque aquilis
No 13 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	In front of a dagger a Lynx's head affrontee	Adjuvamus tuendo
No 14 (Bomber) Squadron	A winged plate charged with a cross throughout and surmounted by the head and shoulder pieces of a suit of armour	I spread my wings and keep my promise
No 20 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	In front of a rising sun an eagle wings elevated, perched on a sword	Facia non verba
No 23 (Fighter) Squadron	An eagle preying on a falcon	Semper aggressus
No 24 (Communications) Squadron	A black cock	In omnia parati
No 31 (Army Co-operation) Squadron	In front of a wreath of laurel a mullet	In caelum indicum primus
No 500 (County of Kent) (Bomber) Squadron	A horse focene	Quo fata vocent
No 602 (City of Glasgow) (Bomber) Squadron	In. front of a Saltire a lion	Cave leonem cruciatun

Based on the Regimental Colours awarded to Army Regiments, The award of Standards to operational squadrons of the RAF was announced by King George VI in 1943 following the 25th Anniversary of the service. A standard design was produced by the Inspector of RAF Badges consisting of a 4 ft by 2 ft 8 in silk base with the squadron badge embroidered in the centre and up to eight scrolls arranged around the badge containing the emblazoned Battle Honours. Around the edge the Standard is a border composed of the embroidered national emblems of the UK, the rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, an example is shown below: -

The criteria for the award of a Standard was either that it had completed 25 years of service in the RAF, AuxAF, RFC or RNAS or had earned the King's appreciation of 'outstanding operations'. So far only Nos 617 and 120 Squadrons have qualified under the latter criteria. Due to the early post-war austerity, despite 30 squadrons qualifying immediately in 1943, the first standards were not produced and presented until the 1950s, details of individual squadron standards can be found in the Squadron history section.

Squadrons can be presented with a new Standard and when this happens the old Standard is laid up in suitable location such as the Rotunda in the College Hall Officers Mess at Cranwell or a Church/Cathedral associated with the squadron. Similarly the Standard of a disbanding unit will also be laid up in a suitable location, but could be returned to the unit should it reform at a later date.

At the same time as he announced the awards of Squadron Standards, King George VI also announced his intention to present a Colour to the RAF and other higher formations such Commands and Colleges. Colours presented over the years are: -

Campaigns in various parts of the Empire, particularly India and Iraq during the Inter-war period entitled squadrons to a number of possible battle honours but these were not to placed on the standard and specific conditions were not issued, the decision as to whether a unit was entitled was determined by an Air Council Committee after scrutinising the unit's records

Battle Honour	Condition
Battle of Britain	Interception operations by fighter squadrons 1940 in the Battle of Britain (August to October 1940).
Home Defence 1940-1945	Interception operations after the Battle of Britain, in defence of Great Britain and Northern Ireland against enemy aircraft and flying bombs.
Invasion Ports 1940	Bombing operations against German occupied Channel ports, to dislocate enemy preparations for the invasion of England.
France and Low Countries1939-1940	Operations in France and the Low Countries between the outbreak of war and the Fall of France (3rd September 1939 to 25th June 1940). Applicable both to squadrons based in France (the Air Component and the Advanced Air Striking Force) and to squadrons operating from home bases.
Dunkirk	Operations covering the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and the French from Dunkirk 26th May to 4th June 1940.
Meuse Bridges	Squadrons which participated in bombing against the crossings of the Meuse during the German breakthrough between Sedan and Dinant (12th to 14th May 1940.)
Atlantic 1939-1945	Operations by aircraft of Coastal Command and others employed in the coastal role over the Atlantic Ocean from the outbreak of war to VE Day.
Bismarck	Operations by aircraft of Coastal Command associated with the action against the Bismarck (24th to 29th May 1941).
Channel and North Sea 1939-1945	Ship attack, anti-submarine, and mining operations over the English Channel and North Sea from the outbreak of war to VE Day.
Tirpitz	Operations resulting in the sinking of the Tirpitz.
Norway 1940	Operations over Norway during the German invasion (9th April to 9th June 1940): applicable both to squadrons based in Norway and to those operating from home bases.
Baltic 1939-1945	Operations over the Baltic and its approach by squadrons of Bomber and Coastal Commands from the outbreak of war to VE Day.
Fortress Europe 1940-44	Operations by aircraft based in the British Isles against targets in Germany, Italy and enemy-occupied Europe, from the Fall of France to the invasion of Normandy.
The Dams	Squadrons participating in the operations for breaching the Moehne, Eider, Sorpe and Kembs Dams (May 1943 to October 1944)
Dieppe	Squadrons which participated in the combined operations against Dieppe on 19th August 1942.
France and Germany1944-45	Operations over France, Belgium, Holland and Germany during the liberation of North-West Europe and the advance into the enemy's homeland, from the initiation of air action preparatory to the invasion of France to VE Day (April 1944 to 8th May 1945)
Biscay Ports 1940-45	Operations over the Bay of Biscay ports from the Fall of France to VE Day.
Ruhr 1940-1945	Bombardment of the Ruhr by aircraft of Bomber Command.
Berlin 1940-45	Bombardment of Berlin by aircraft of Bomber Command.
German Ports 1940-1945	Bombardment of the German ports by aircraft of Bomber and Coastal Commands.
Normandy 1944	Operations supporting the Allied landings in Normandy the establishment of the lodgement area, and the subsequent breakthrough (June to August 1944).
Arnhem	Squadrons participating in the operations of the Allied Airborne Army (17th to 26th September 1944).
Walcheren	Operations in support of the capture of the Island of Walcheren (3rd October to 9th November 1944).
Rhine	Operations in support of the battle for the Rhine crossing (8th February to 24th March 1945)
Biscay 1940-1945	Operations over the Bay of Biscay by aircraft of Coastal Command and Fighter Command, and Bomber Command aircraft loaned to Coastal Command, between the fall of France and VE Day (25th June 1940 to 8th May 1945).
East Africa 1940-1941	Operations over Kenya, the Sudan, Abyssinia, Italian Somaliland, British Somaliland, Eritrea, and the Red Sea, during the campaign which resulted in the conquest of Italian East Africa (10th June 1940 to 27th November 1941).
Greece 1940-1941	Operations over Albania and Greece during the Italian and German invasion, whether carried out by squadrons based in Greece or operating from external bases (28th October 1940 to 30th April 1941).
South-East Europe 1942-1945	Operations over Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.
Egypt and Libya 1940-1943	Operations in the defence of Egypt and the conquest of Libya, from the outbreak of war against Italy to the retreat of the Axis forces into Tunisia (10th June 1940 to 6th February 1943).
El Alamein	Operations during the retreat to El Alamein and subsequent actions (June to November 1942).
El Hamma	Operations at El Hamma in support of the Battle of the Mareth Line by squadrons operationally controlled by Air Headquarters Western Desert (including No 205 Group squadrons engaged in tactical bombing ), during the period 20/21st March to 28th March1943.)
Malta 1940-1942	Squadrons participating in defensive, offensive, and reconnaissance operations from Malta during the period of enemy action against the island (10th June 1940 to 31st December 1942).
North Africa 1942-1943	Operations in connection with the campaign in French North Africa, from the initial landings in Algeria to the expulsion of the Axis Powers from Tunisia (8th November 1942 to 13th may 1943).
Mediterranean 1940-43	Operations over Italy, Sicily and the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas by aircraft based in the Mediterranean area (including reconnaissance, convoy protection, mining, and attacks on enemy ports and shipping) between the entry of Italy into the war and the initiation of air action preparatory to the Sicilian campaign (10th June 1940 to 30th June 1943).
Sicily 1943	Operations in furtherance of the conquest of Sicily (1st July to 17th August 1943) by aircraft based in Africa, Malta and Sicily.
Italy 1943-1945	Operations over Italy
Salerno	Operations in support of the Allied landings in Italy (9th to 16th September 1943).
Anzio and Nettuno	Operations in support of the Allied landings at Anzio and Nettuno (January 1944)
Gustav Line	Squadrons participating in the operations against the Gustav Line (May 1944).
Gothic Line	Air Operations in support of the breaching of the Gothic Line (August to September 1944).
Pacific 1941-1945	Operations against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre, throughout the war with Japan (8th December 1941 to 15th August 1945).
Malaya1941-1942	Operations against the Japanese in Malaya, Sumatra and Java, from 8th December 1941, until the final capitulation in Java on 12th March 1942.
Ceylon April 1942	Operations against Japanese aircraft and naval units by squadrons based in Ceylon during the Japanese attacks of April 1942
Eastern Waters 1941-1945	Operations over waters east of the Mediterranean and Red Sea, including the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal the Java Sea, and the South China Sea, throughout the war with Japan.
Burma 1941-1942	Operations in defence of Rangoon and in support of British Forces during the Japanese invasion of Burma (December 1941 to May 1942).
Burma 1944-1945	Operations during the 14th Army's advance from Imphal to Rangoon, the coastal amphibious assaults, and the Battle of Pegu Yomas (August 1944 to August 1945).
Special Operations	Operations by squadrons regularly assigned to special duties, i.e the succour of resistance movements in enemy-occupied countries by dropping supplies and by introducing and evacuating personnel by air, from the formation of the first special duty flight (20th August 1940) after the Fall of France to VE and VJ Days.
Arctic 1940-1945	Operations over the Arctic by squadrons of Coastal Command based in Iceland, Russia and the Shetlands.
Arakan 1942-1944	Operations by fighter, bomber and transport squadrons in support of the first and second Arakan campaigns (November 1942 to February 1943, and November 1943 to March 1944).
Iraq 1941	Operations in the defeat of Rashid Ali's rebellion (2nd to 31st May 1941).
Habbaniya	Units engaged in the defence of Habbaniya (30th April to 6th May 1941).
Russia 1941-1945	Operations from Russian bases.
Syria 1941	Operations over Syria during the campaign against the Vichy French (8th June to 12th July 1941).
North Burma 1943-1944	The supply by air of General Wingate 's first long-range penetration into North Burma (February to June 1943) and for the air supply and support of his second expedition (5th March to 26th June 1944).
Manipur 1944	Operations in support of the besieged forces at Imphal (March to July 1944).
Madagascar 1942	Operations by squadrons of SAAF during and after the landings in Madagascar.

Since World War Two only three Theatre Honours have been awarded to unit of the RAF, these being 'South Atlantic 1982', 'Iraq 1991' and 'Iraq 2003'

Battle Honour	Condition
South Atlantic 1982	Awarded to Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, which saw service between 2 April and 14 June 1982 south of 35^o south and north of 60^o south or took part in an operational sortie south of Ascension Island. It was awarded to: - No 1(F) Squadron No 18 Squadron No 42 Squadron No 44 Squadron No 47 Squadron No 50 Squadron No 51 Squadron No 55 Squadron No 57 Squadron No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment No 70 Squadron No 101 Squadron No 120 Squadron No 201 Squadron No 206 Squadron The only two flying units permitted to display it on their standards are No 1 and No 18 Squadrons.
Iraq 1991	Awarded to Squadrons which were involved in direct confrontation with the enemy and had demonstrated gallantry and spirit under fire With the right to emblazon the honour on squadron Standards: No 1 Squadron RAF Regiment No 2 Squadron No 6 Squadron No 7 Squadron No 9 Squadron No 12 Squadron No 13 Squadron No 14 Squadron No 15 Squadron No 16 Squadron No 17 Squadron No 18 Squadron No 20 Squadron No 27 Squadron No 31 Squadron No 33 Squadron No 41 Squadron No 54 Squadron No 208 Squadron No 230 Squadron No 617 Squadron Without the right to emblazon the honour on squadron Standards: No 10 Squadron No 20 Squadron RAF Regiment No 24 Squadron No 26 Squadron RAF Regiment No 29 Squadron No 30 Squadron No 32 Squadron No 34 Squadron RAF Regiment No 42 Squadron No 43 Squadron No 47 Squadron No 51 Squadron No 51 Squadron RAF Regiment No 55 Squadron No 58 Squadron RAF Regiment No 66 Squadron RAF Regiment No 70 Squadron No 101 Squadron No 120 Squadron No 201 Squadron No 206 Squadron No 216 Squadron
Iraq 2003	This was awarded for participation in operations in the Iraq campaign in 2003 as was awarded to the following units: - With the right to emblazon the honour on squadron Standards: No 1 (Fighter) Squadron RAF No 11 (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF No 3 Squadron RAF No IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF No 7 Squadron RAF Promotion No IX (Bomber) Squadron RAF No 12 (Bomber) Squadron RAF No 31 Squadron No 47 Squadron RAF No 617 Squadron RAF No 51 Squadron RAF Regiment Without the right to emblazon the honour on squadron Standards: No 8 Squadron RAF No 10 Squadron RAF No 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF No 23 Squadron RAF No 33 Squadron RAF No 39 Squadron RAF No 43 (Fighter) Squadron RAF No 51 Squadron RAF No 101 Squadron RAF No 111 (Fighter) Squadron RAF No 120 Squadron RAF No 201 Squadron RAF No 206 Squadron RAF No 216 Squadron RAF No 1 Squadron RAF Regiment No 11 Squadron RAF Regiment No 27 Squadron RAF Regiment No 16 Squadron RAF Regiment No 34 Squadron RAF Regiment

Some units of the RAF have been awarded their own Coats of Arms or Armorial Bearings, which can be found in the appropriate unit history section, these include: -

The idea of an RAF Ensign was first put forward in 1918 but it faced opposition from the Royal Navy, who had the power of veto over any flag to be flown in the British Empire. After rejecting a number of designs, the Admiralty eventually accepted the current design in December 1920 and on 24 March 1921, King George V signed an Order in Council (AMWO 273/1921) ratifying its use.

Pennants and Star Plates (courtesy Wg Cdr C G Jefford)

Pennants, to be flown by Officers Commanding RAF units, were first introduced in 1918 for the ranks of major to major-general (squadron leader to air vice-marshal from 1919) (AMWO 782/1918). The introduction of the RAF Ensign was announced in 1920, (AMWO 1130/1920) the detail of its design being formally authorised by an Order in Council of 24 March 1921. This meant that all RAF stations would now have to be provided with a mast and gaff. Once these had been erected the Ensign was to be flown from the peak (of the gaff), with the CO’s rank pennant at the masthead. The range of pennant designs was extended in 1927 (AMWO 8/1927) to embrace air marshal to marshal of the RAF. In 1938, (AMO A284/1938) miniature versions were introduced, to be flown as flags from a mast on the off-side front wing of the staff cars of Air Officers Commanding.

During WW II, there were some amendments to the detail as to who could, and who could not, fly rank flags on their cars, notably in May 1941 (AMO A397/1941) when they were restricted to the CAS and Air Officers Commanding commands and groups at all times, and (but only when visiting RAF units) members of the Air Council and Inspectors General. These rank flags were now to be flown from the near-side front wing with the exception of CAS’s which was to be flown centrally on the radiator.

The next significant change occurred in 1945 (AMO A640/1945) when the rules were revised and restated to include the introduction of a unique personal flag, featuring the RAF badge on a light blue background, which was to be flown at all times, by the car of the Secretary of State for Air. At the same time the CAS and certain AOCinCs abroad were authorised to fly a miniature RAF Ensign; the cars of all other air and senior officers in command, including Commandants of nominated Colleges and Schools, and Station Commanders not below the rank of wing commander, continued to fly miniature rank flags, although, depending upon circumstances, these were often restricted to within the bounds of the unit under command. In all cases these 12″ × 4½″ flags were now to be mounted centrally on the radiator. In June 1947 (AMO A518/1947) there were further minor amendments to the list of those authorised to fly miniature rank flags on their cars while the dimensions of (only) the miniature RAF Ensign were changed to 12″ × 6″. All of these changes had been confined to the use of miniature flags on motor cars, all squadron leaders and above commanding RAF units continued to fly their full-sized rank pennants as they had done since 1918, and as they still do.

In March 1948, the Air Council Standing Committee decided to extend the range of unique SoS/CAS-style flags associated with specific senior appointments and to replace the miniature rank flags on cars with star plates. [ACSC Conclusions 3(48)] However, it was January 1951 before the use of star plates was authorised (AMO A763/1950) and, allowing for the time required for manufacture, it would have been some months before they actually became available. They featured, on a pale blue ground, a single silver star for an air commodore, increasing to five for a marshal of the RAF. Star plates were/are only to be displayed when the officer was/is on board, otherwise, as had always been the case with flags, they are masked with a canvas cover (during an AOC’s Inspection, the host of this website actually witnessed one AVM riding around RAF Shawbury on a bicycle fitted with a star plate). The design of the four new distinguishing flags, to be flown by Members of the Air Council, AOCinCs, AOCs and certain other specific appointments, including Station Commanders ranked as wing commanders or above, were not announced until as late as November 1951 (AMO A680/1951) and they did not materialise until 1952. All of the new car flags were to be 9″ × 4½″ with the exception of SoS’s which was now to be 12″ × 6″ to match the RAF Ensign which was now flown only by CAS.

Rank	Pennant	Star Plate
Squadron Leader (in command)		No Star Plate
Wing Commander		No Star Plate
Group Captain		No Star Plate
Air Commodore
Air Vice Marshal
Air Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Marshal of the RAF

As well as carrying Star Plate denoting the rank, a staff car may also carry a flag on a mast located centrally on the radiator to identify the appointment of the officer, as shown below: -

Chief of the Air Staff and AOC-in-Cs Abroad
Member of the Air Council and Inspector-General of the RAF
AOC-in-Cs of Home Commands
AOC Group HQs
Sector/Station Commander (Wg Cdr and above)*

*This is the only flag flown by officers below Air Rank.

Drum Markings and Equipment

New designs for emblazoning drums of RAF bands have been introduced. Drawings of the new designs are annexed. The first design is intended for use on drums, bass, and the second for use on drums side (Stores Ref 19/2). The name of the band is to be inserted in that part of the scroll whore the word "Central "appears in the reproductions.
New designs have also been introduced for the drum panel and for the hoops, cord, bottom and top of drums, side (Stores Ref l9/2)
The emblazoning with the new design of all drums provided out of public funds will be carried out, for units at home, at No I Stares Depot, and for units abroad at the appropriate depot or stores distributing unit. Units are to demand drums within the establishment laid down in Scale Z I of AP 830, Vol III, with the new design to replace the drums at present on charge, and on their receipt are to return the drums with the obsolete design to the appropriate depot or stores distributing unit. Demands will be dealt with at the depot in the order in which they are received.
Two drums emblazoned with the new designs and with panels and hoops painted in the approved manner will be supplied to each depot at Stores distributing unit abroad from No 1 Stores Depot for guidance in the re-emblazoning and repainting of drums returned from local units. The necessary transfers of the new designs, supplies of special enamels, red, royal blue and blue-grey, and drum fittings and embellishments, as detailed, are to be demanded from No 1 Stores Depot in the usual manner.

ACCESSORIES FOR DRUMS, SIDE (Stores Ref 19/2).

Braces and cords, at present provided in buff and white respectively, are replaced by braces, blue (Stores Ref 19/27), and cords, blue (Stores Ref 19/26). Carriages, leather, buff, are replaced by carriages, leather, black (Stores Ref. 19/28). The buff braces, white cords and buff carriages are to be returned to the appropriate stores depot for disposal out of the Service to the best advantage, in accordance with current recognised procedure.
Aprons, leg, leather (black) (Stores Ref. 19/25) will be issued on demand at the rate of one for each drum, side (Stores Ref 19/2) held in accordance with Scale No Z I of AP 830, Vol 111.

DRUMS PROVIDED FROM NON-PUBLIC FUNDS

With a view to securing uniformity in the decoration and embellishment of drums throughout the Royal Air Force, it has been decided that instruments purchased out of voluntary band funds may, if desired, be emblazoned and painted with the new designs and fitted with braces, etc., in the new colours, at RAF depots as a repayment service, the costs being borne by the above-mentioned funds. An estimate of the cost of re-emblazoning and refitting of drums may, if desired, be obtained by units from the CO, No 1 Stores Depot, prior to the submission of demands. Separate demands for the emblazoning and fitting of non-public drums under the provisions of this paragraph are to be submitted by units desiring this service to the appropriate stores depot or stores distributing unit. To ensure that drums are returned to the unit from which they emanated, non-public drums are to be labelled with the name of the unit, and the number of the relevant demand is to be shown on the label. The emblazoning of non-public drums will be undertaken only when all requirements for service drums have been met.
Aprons, leg, leather (black) (Stores Ref 19/25) and carriages, black (Stores Ref. 19/28), for use with non-public drums, may be obtained, if required, on repayments from RAF sources.

Source - Air Ministry Order A128/1932 dated 5 May 1932.

Crown Copyright material is reproduced by permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights

Battle Honour	Condition
Home Waters Operations 1914-1918	Operations over home waters, whether by land-based or carrier-borne aircraft.
Home Defence 1916-1918	Interception operations against enemy aircraft and Zeppelins raiding Great Britain.
Western Front 1914-1918 NB Many squadrons seem to split this Honour into individual named battles (see photo above)	Operations in support of Allied armies in Belgium and France.
Independent Force and Germany 1914-1918	Squadrons based in France as part of the Independent Force; and for operations over Germany, whether by squadrons based in France (as part of the Independent Force or not) or by carrier-borne aircraft.
Italian Front and Adriatic 1917-1918	Operations over the Trentino and neighbouring areas, in support of the Allied armies on the ltalian front; and for operations over the Adriatic and attacks on targets on the Dalmatian coast.
Aegean 1915-1918	Operations in the Aegean area against the German/Turkish land, sea and air forces, including the attempt to force the Dardenelles, the Gallipoli campaign, and the various operations over the Aegean Sea and against Turkish coastal targets.
Macedonia 1916-1918	Operations in support of the Allied Forces at Salonika and in their eventual advance and defeat of the Bulgarian armies in Macedonia and adjoining territories.
Mesopotamia 1915-1918	Operations over Mesopotamia and Persia in the liberation of Mesopotamia from the Turks.
Palestine 1916-1918	Operations over Palestine, Transjordan and Syria, in the liberation of those territories from the Turks.
Arabia 1916-1917	Operations over Arabia, in support of the Arab Revolt against the Turks.
Egypt 1914-1917	Operations by squadrons based in Egypt during the Turkish advance on the Suez Canal across Sinai; and for operations in the Western Desert against the Senussi.
All the above can be placed on a Standard but those below are not to be placed on the Standard:
East Africa 1915-1917	Operations over German East Africa during its conquest from the enemy, whether by aircraft based in the country or operating from exterior seaplane bases.
South-West Africa 1915	Operations by South African Personnel during the conquest of German South-West Africa.

South Persia 1918-1919	Waziristan 1919-1920	Mohmand 1927	Northern Kurdistan 1932
North Russia 1918-1919	North-West Persia 1920	Aden 1928	Mohmand 1933
Kurdistan 1919	Somaliland 1920	Iraq 1928-1929	Aden 1934
South Russia 1919-1920	Sudan 1920	Aden 1929	North-West Frontier 1935-1939
Iraq 1919-1920	Kurdistan 1922-1924	North-West Frontier 1930-1931	Palestine 1936-1939
Afghanistan 1919-1920	Iraq 1923-1925	Kurdistan 1930-1931
Mahsud 1919-1920	Transjordan 1924	Burma 1930-1932