RAF photo help

[davidjones533]

I'm looking for help with the two photos below. I wonder if anyone can provide any additional context to them or suggest a year. in large group photo and in the middle of the smaller group photo.

Large group photo: subject is second from right on back row. Most of those wearing jackets appear to have the badge of a wireless operator on their right arm. None wear the half brevet on their chest that indicates that they were aircrew - but this could be before it was introduced in 1943?  Some have a white stripe on their hats indicating that they were still undergoing aircrew training?



Small group photo: subject in middle. Corporal stripes. Are these flying boots or wellies? All seem to have long sleeveless overcoats / raincoats - were these standard, for aircrew or groundcrew?



Thanks in anticipation...

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat David. 

Sorry I am unable to help but hopefully my reply will put your query to the top of the list.

Good luck.

[MaxD]

The second photo has men wearing the cold weather leather jerkin with their wellies, typical of a ground crew working mostly outside.  No real distinguishing marks anywhere.

The first picture has the look of a training course, wizened instructor with WW1 medals in the centre, and men from a number of different units and some different ranks including, as you note, some aircrew under training.  Again nothing really significant.

Year - early WW2 years?

MaxD

[davidjones533]

Thanks Max - that's very helpful.

 

[Crumblie]

The 'sparks' badge was not only worn by wireless operators it was and still is worn by qualified personnel in the radio engineering trades. I was awarded mine in 1970 as a LAC air radar mechanic and still wore one in 1993 when I was a Chief Tech in the trade of Eng Tech Avionics.