There are now only two Air Despatch Units remaining in the British Army, 47 Air Despatch Squadron RLC and 395 Air Despatch Troop RLC (TA)
Air Despatchers served world-wide on training, operation and famine relief duties. They were easily distinguishable from other units as they always wore their own Formation Sign, the golden Dakota on a Royal Blue background, wherever they were in the world. The Dakota flash was awarded to Air Despatch units following their part in ‘Operation Market Garden’ at Arnhem in September 1944. Air Despatchers suffered proportionally the highest casualties during the operation.
Since Air Despatch became part of the Army’s logistical elements, the following units at one time or another have been fulfilling Air Despatch duties:-
| RASC | RCT | RLC |
|
48 Air Despatch Column 49 Air Despatch Column 1 Army Air Supply Organisation 3 Army Air Supply Organisation Air Supply Training Wing 16 Coy (AD) 22 Coy (AD) 47 Coy (AD) (renumbered from 223) 55 Coy (AD) (renumbered from 799) 63 Coy (AD) 73 Coy (AD) 223 Coy (AD) 749 Coy (AD) 799 Coy (AD) 800 Coy (AD) 138 Air Supply Platoon (Cyprus) 1955-60 (then became ‘C’ Pln 47 Coy RASC (AD)) |
14 AD Regt 15 AD Regt 16 AD Sqn 22 AD Sqn 47 AD Sqn 55 AD Sqn 69 AD Sqn |
47 AD Sqn |