Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation


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RAF Badges - Stations A-K


The table below shows the badges awarded to each unit, the motto and translation where known, the monarch who authorised it and the general date of the award

If you would like to commission any of the missing badges (including those marked *) please contact RAF Heraldry Trust for further details.

Aberporth badge Abingdon badge Acklington badge Akrotiri badge
Aberporth Abingdon Acklington Akrotiri

Motto: Prove to improve

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - September 1966

Motto: Proudly

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - March 1955

Motto: Heri docendum hodie implendium (Yesterday it had to be taught, today it has to be carried out)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - August 1957

Motto: Acre Semper Acria (The peninsula is always eager)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1957

Alconbury badge

Aldergrove badge Amman badge Andover badge

Alconbury

Aldergrove

Amman Andover

Based on Support Command badge

Motto: Ours to hold

Authorised:  King George VI - November 1951

Motto: Swift to Defend

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1950

Motto: Vis exarmisconsilioque orta (Power derived from arms and knowledge)

Authorised:  King George VI - August 1950

Ascension Island badge Bahrein badge Ballykelly badge Bassingbourn badge
Ascension Island

Bahrein

Ballykelly Bassingbourn

Motto: Auxilium trans mar (Support across the sea)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - October 1983

Motto: In sole laborate (Work in the sun)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - June 1958

Motto: Nos difficultates non terreni (Difficulties do not deter us)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - August 1954

Motto:  Pristinae Virtutis Memores (Mindful of the value of our ancestors)

Authorised:  King George VI - October 1949

Bawdsey badge RAF Bempton Badge Benbecula badge Benson badge
Bawdsey Bempton* Benbecula

Benson

Motto:  First in the Field

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - January 1960

Design based on Fighter Command badge

Motto:  Faireachail

Authorised:

Motto:  Spectemur Agendo ( Let us be known by our actions)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - August 1955

Bentley Priory badge RAF Bentwaters Badge Berka badge Bicester badge
Bentley Priory Bentwaters*

Berka

Bicester

Motto:

Authorised:

Based on Support Command badge

Motto:  Guard, seek and strike

Authorised:  King George VI - October 1944

Motto:  Semel et simul (Once and simultaneously)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - January 1958

Biggin Hill badge Binbrook badge Bishopbriggs badge Bishops Court badge

Biggin Hill

Binbrook

Bishopbriggs

Bishops Court
Motto: The strongest link

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - 1954

Motto: United we strike

Authorised:   King George VI - July 1951

Motto: Bis dat qui cito dat (He gives twice who gives quickly)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - November 1954

Motto: Guard and guide

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - January 1961

RAF Boscombe Down Badge Boulmer badge Bovingdon badge Brampton badge
Boscombe Down* Boulmer Bovingdon

Brampton

Based on Strike Command badge

Motto:  Semper in excubitu vigilans (Always the vigilant sntry)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - 1986

Motto: Trust and fear not

Authorised:  ?

Motto: Pride in service

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - June 1959

RAF Buchan Badge
Brawdy Brize Norton

Bruggen

Buchan*

Motto: Amddiffynfa y gorillewin (Stronghold of the west)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - December 1984

Motto: Transire confidenter (Pass through confidently)

Authorised:  ?

Motto:  To seek and strike

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963

Motto:  Ad courant (Well informed)

Queen Elizabeth II - October 1956 as No 409 Signals Unit

Burtonwood badge Butterworth badge Butzweilerhof badge Calshot badge
Burtonwood Butterworth Butzweilerhof Calshot

Based on Support Command badge

 

Motto:  Sarang serta sengat (The nest with a sting)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - June 1955

Motto:  Per vires pax (Peace through strength)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - December 1955

Motto:  Ducant astra (Let your stars be your guide)

Authorised:  King George VI - August 1947

Cark badge Castle Bromwich badge Catterick badge Changi badge
Cark

Castle Bromwich

Catterick

Changi

Motto: Exercitatis nil invium (To a trained man nothing is impassable)

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1943

Motto:  Supra urbem alae nostrae volant (Our wings rise over the city)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - June 1955

Motto:  Vigilance and knowledge

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - March 1971

Motto:  Kamimelindongi semua (We shelter many)

Authorised: King George VI - August 1950

RAF Chessington Badge Chivenor badge Church Fenton badge Colerne badge
Chessington Chivenor Church Fenton Colerne
Based on RAF Support Command Badge

Motto:  Docti Progredimur (We advance with knowledge)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - April 1982

Motto:  With speed to the mark

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - April 1953

Motto:  Age pro viribus (Do your utmostd)

Authorised:  King George VI - November 1944

Coltishall badge Coningsby badge Cosford badge Cottesmore badge

Coltishall

Coningsby

Cosford

Cottesmore

Motto:  Aggressive in defence

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1953

Motto:  Loyalty binds me

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - December 1958

Motto:  Seul le premier pas coute (Only the beginning is difficult)

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1949

Motto:  We rise to our obstacle

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1948

RAF Cowden Badge Cranwell badge RAF Croughton Badge Decimomannu badge
Cowden*

Cranwell

Croughton Decimomannu

Based on Strike Command badge

Motto:  Alitum Altrix (Nurturer of the winged)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1948

Motto:  Fortis Ubique Volantis

Authorised: 

Motto:  No su aggiudausu

Authorised:  ?

Detling badge Digby badge Dishforth badge RAF Donna Nook Badge
Detling Digby Dishforth Donna Nook*
Motto:  Dare to be wise

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - March 1955

Motto:  Icarus Renatus (Icarus reborn)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1952

Motto:  Par oneri (Equal to the task)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - November 1954

Adapted Strike Command badge

Drem badge Driffield badge Duxford badge East Fortune badge
Drem Driffield Duxford East Fortune

Motto:  Exiit hinc lumen (From here went forth the light)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1944

Motto:  Strong foundations

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1951

Motto:  Verrimus Caelum (We sweep the skies)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1941

Motto:  Fortune favours the bold

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1945

Eastchurch badge Eastleigh badge Eindhoven badge El Adem badge

Eastchurch

Eastleigh Eindhoven El Adem

Motto:  In varietate constans (Constant through changes)

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1944

Motto:  Shupavu na thabiti (Tough and stronfg)

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1949

Motto:  Stilte baart wijheid (Silence engenders wisdom)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - September 1960

Motto:  Vincit qui patitur (He conquers who endures)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - October 1953

El Hamra badge Episkopi badge Exeter badge RAF Fairford Badge
El Hamra Episkopi Exeter Fairford*

Motto:  Strength through mobility

Authorised: King George VI - June 1948

Motto:  United we endevour

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - August 1964

Motto:  Ex aeterna vigilantia vires (From everlasting watchfulness (comes) strength)

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1945

Based on Transport Command badge

Feltwell badge Finningley badge Fylingdales badge Gan badge
Feltwell Finningley Fylingdales Gan

Motto:  Vires Acquirit eundo (Ever gathering strength in our course)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963

Motto:  Usque ad coelum fines (Extending as far as the sky)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1948

Motto:  Vigilamus (We watch)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1972

Motto:  En route

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1965

Gatow badge RAF Gaydon badge Geilenkirchen badge Gibraltar badge
Gatow Gaydon Geilenkirchen Gibraltar

Motto:  Pons heri pons hodie (A bridge yesterday and a bridge today)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963

Motto:  Viribus vigeamus (Let us flourish through strength)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - October 1956

Motto:  Celer respondere (Swift to respond)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - January 1965

Motto:  Guard the gateway

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - April 1956

Goose Bay badge Gosport badge

RAF Greenham Common badge

RAF Greenock badge

Goose Bay Gosport Greenham Common

Greenock

Motto:  Tingijub Akkarvinga (Landing place of the large bird)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1972

Motto:  In caelum volantem in mare tonantem (Flying into the sky, thundering into the sea)

Authorised:  King George VI - July 1937

Based on Support Command badge

Motto: Alou ail-suas n'as fhearr (Best maintained only)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - April 1953

Gutersloh badge Habbaniya badge Hal Far badge RAF Halton badge
Gutersloh Habbaniya Hal Far Halton
Motto: Vallis Vesperis (On the western ramparts)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - January 1968

Motto:  Infesto Ferimus We strike the troublesome)

Authorised: King George VI - January 1948

Motto:  Intermare et Caelum (Between sea and sky)

Authorised: King George VI - September 1943

Motto:  Teach, learn, apply

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1981

Hartland Point badge Hemswell badge Hendon badge Henlow badge
Hartland Point Hemswell Hendon Henlow

Motto:  Venantes Dirigimus (We guide those who hunt)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - September 1960 as No 405 Signals Unit (renamed ?)

Motto:  Bold and tenacious

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - October 1958

Motto:  Endeavour

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1986

Motto:  Labor Arma Ministrat

Unofficial - adapted from Home Aircraft Depot/ No 13 Maintenance Unit

Hereford badge High Wycombe badge RAF Holbeach Badge Hong Kong badge
Hereford High Wycombe Holbeach* Hong Kong
Motto:  Take the bull by the horns

Authorised: King George VI - April 1944

Motto:  Nob sibi (not for ourselves)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1966

Adapted Strike Command badge

Motto:  Ability and ambition of the highest (in Chinese)

Authorised: King George VI - August 1940 as RAF Kai Tak (renamed in  February 1978)

Honington badge Hooton Park badge Hornchurch badge Horsham St Faith badge
Honington Hooton Park Hornchurch Horsham St Faith

Motto:  Pro Anglia valens (Valiant for England)

Authorised:   Queen Elizabeth II - June 1956

Motto:  Deus horam dat (God gives the hour)

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - July 1953

Motto:  First things first

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1950

Motto:  Adsurgentes fugnamus (Rising we fight)

Authorised:  King George VI - November 1951

Hullavington badge Hythe badge Idris badge Innsworth badge
Hullavington Hythe Idris Innsworth

Motto:  Service to many

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - May 1972

Based on Support Command Badge

Motto:  Sic vos non vobis (We labour to serve others)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1958

Motto:  Multos sustentare (Home to many)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1976

RAF Jurby Badge

RAF Jurby Head Badge

Kai Tak badge Kalafrana badge
Jurby* Jurby Head* Kai Tak Kalafrana
Motto:  Quocunque Jeceris Stabit

Authorised:  Possibly unofficial

Based on Strike Command badge

Motto:  Ability and ambition of the highest (in Chinese)

Authorised: King George VI - August 1940

Motto:  Nunquam defuimus (We have never failed)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1938

Kenley badge

RAF Khartoum badge

Khormaksar badge Kinloss badge
Kenley Khartoum Khormaksar Kinloss

Motto:  Nisi dominus pro nobis (Except the lord be on our side)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - December 1958

Motto:  Main road of Africa (in Arabic)

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1953

Motto:  Into the remote places

Authorised: King George VI - February 1950

Motto:  Power to the hunter

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - August 1954

Kirknewton badge Kirton in Lindsey badge Krendi badge RAF Kuala Lumper badge
Kirknewton Kirton in Lindsey Krendi Kuala Lumpur

Based on Support Command Badge

Motto:  Je vole a tous vents (I fly whatever the wind)

Authorised: King George VI -November 1947

Motto:  Ad repugnandum renatus  (Reborn to hit back)

Authorised: King George VI - June 1944

Motto:  We protect from the sky 

Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1952

 

All badges on this page are Crown Copyright and have been produced by Mary Denton on behalf of the RAF Heraldry Trust, being displayed on this page with the permission of the RAFHT.  Mary Denton and the RAFHT have probably completed half of the 'official' badges authorised but are still looking for sponsorship for the remaining badges. The work continues and details can be found on their website.

*These badges have been produced by Dave Clifford

© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights

This page was last updated on 01/01/24

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