Cap Badges
Air Despatchers have served in the RASC (Royal Army Service Corps), RCT (Royal
Corps of Transport) and RLC (Royal Logistic Corps). Four types of Cap
Badge have
been worn during the 60 years of Air Despatch.
Formation Signs
RASC Air Despatch Companies were first formed in March 1944 in order to make
full use of the advantages that supply by air could bring to the army. It
was in September that year, following the Arnhem Operation that the first
insignia was authorised. This consisted of shoulder flashes depicting a golden
Dakota on a dark blue background. The flashes were worn on the upper arms
of Battledress (BDs) and Dennison Smocks. The Dakotas faced forward, and the
one the left arm had a door showing in some versions. The Dakota is still
worn today by 47 AD Sqn RLC.
Air Despatchers wore the Dakota flashes wherever they were in the world. Unlike other units, until recently, they did not have to wear local formation signs.
Four variations of the Dakota Flash are shown.
Brevets
In
1957, the wearing of a Brevet was authorised for Air Despatchers (see ‘The
Open Door’). To qualify for the Brevet, Despatchers had to complete
40 training or 20 operational sorties, or a combination of the two. Quite
a few styles of Brevet have been worn over the years and qualifications
introduced to the trade meant that brevets were required to reflect these.
Anniversary Badge
The year 2000 saw the 100th anniversary of the formation 47 Company Army Service Corps. The first 47 Company was a Horse Transport Company.
47 Squadron Royal Logistic Corps is the direct descendant of that 47 Company. It is the sole remaining Regular Air Despatch Unit of the British Army. 47 AD Sqn is currently stationed at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.