Genealogy Chat

hi does anyone know a site where i can look the different raf stripes and what they mean? thanks

Don't know of any site off hand , wot sort of stripe is it and where - hubby maybe able to help. Liz

He is wearing it on his lower left arm, its an upside down v. I cant make out whether its one or two stipes but they look to be white on a blue background.

If you are looking at three pale blue V's on a dark blue background, all on one sleeve ''badge'' together, that's RAF sergeants stripes. If it's Two V's, the same as above, then that's RAF Corporal..... and one V is....um......what's below a corporal?? (no rude answers please!) (I think! Happy to be corrected!!!) Merry

Sorry Joe, got so involved with my reply I copied saying they were upsidedown.....an looking at dad's photos for ref!! What's below a corporal?? I've changed my last reply! Merry

Hi, thanks for your replies. Yes they are definately upside down the tip of the v is pointing towards his shoulder. Unfortuantely its one of them hand coloured photos so i cant make out if it is one or two stipes. I have had a quick look around, i found a lance corporal stripe which may be it. did they point upwards? thanks

Are you looking at a photo Keiley?? How old? Merry

Hi, yes i have the photo in my hand, it must have been taken circa spring/summer 1941.

No Lance Corporal for rank in the RAF (that's army)...... RAF Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman Senior Aircraftman Junior Technician Corporal Sergeant etc Merry

Joe.....didn't they have some other badges ???? Which way up do Good Conduct badges (stripes) go????????? Merry

He has a propellor on the top of his arm, its two bladed. Is this what you mean?

Its WWII circa 1941

That's it I think........ Good Conduct stripes are inverted V. You could get one, two or three.....worn on left sleeve. Merry

Stripes for rank are on the other sleeve!! Merry

I reckon your right Merry...Thanks just had googled good service stripes or chevrons as they are calling them, and they do point upwards!! Thanks another mystery solved!

Good!! (oops, sorry Joe, was replying to Keiley!) Merry

Errmm dont think he was the musical type. Also I know he served in Burma, so does the two bladed propellor show that he was aricraft crew?

Two bladed prop on sleeve = SAC2 - Senior Aircraftsman - 2 blade propellor Merry

Oh......**Hangs head in shame!!** I should have said that, Joe! My dad was a Squadron leader, but he never set foot in a plane other than as a passenger!! (in maintenance!!) Merry (slaps wrist)