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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Alana81 on Saturday 03 December 16 05:13 GMT (UK)
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Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I can delete if needed.
My grandfather got this tattoo while he was in the airforce (WW2), and we are trying to figure out whether there were any references to the airforce in it. If anyone could help it would be much appreciated. :)
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Link shows the RAF emblem:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force
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Just asked OH and he is of the same opinion that this is just a stylised tattoo and nothing to do with any RAF Commands, stations or squadrons. We have never seen emblems with the 2 flags and no RAF eagle and I'd expect to see King George's crown.
To give you an idea.
https://www.google.com.cy/search?q=raf+commands+emblems&espv=2&biw=1097&bih=564&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwipjfSVvdfQAhVlK8AKHU25DNEQsAQIPQ&dpr=1#imgrc=3VpvSV_ocCOc2M%3A
OH served 25 yrs RAF and I served 5 years WRAF.
:)
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It's not very clear. Do you know what the words or letters are?
I can't see anything specific to the RAF in the pictures.
May I ask why you think there may be airforce references in the tattoo?
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What do you think the writing says? and also the numbers at the lower end. The letters at the top may be the name of a place.
What was his job or trade in the RAF please?
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Good morning,
Not an RAF insignia but looks as if it may say RAF ******* across the top. Can't make out what is across the centre.
As tattoos go, not well executed. The sword should come back over the ring at the bottom. It then appears to be holding the ring to the skin which is pierced by the sword.
John915
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Can you scan again and make it more in focus. please?
There are a lot of clues, if we could decipher them.
Did your grandfather ever tell his family about the tattoo?
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Good afternoon,
Can you scan again and make it more in focus. please?
There are a lot of clues, if we could decipher them.
Did your grandfather ever tell his family about the tattoo?
If he had told the family about the tattoo then the poster would have no need to ask the question, would he.
John915
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He may have been in Air-Sea Rescue or in a Maintenance Unit ( MU ). Or something unusual perhaps?
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The date each side of the sword at the bottom appears to be 1942.
If this is so, the words at the top may be "RAF Torch" relating to Operation Torch in North Africa that year.
Michael.
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Is there a word on the banner too?
Hopefully Alana will return soon to enlighten us.
He may have been in Air-Sea Rescue or in a Maintenance Unit ( MU ). Or something unusual perhaps?
The OP is not asking for guesses as to her grandfather's service. If she wants to know about his service she can apply for his service record! ::)
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Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I can delete if needed.
My grandfather got this tattoo while he was in the airforce (WW2), and we are trying to figure out whether there were any references to the airforce in it. If anyone could help it would be much appreciated. :)
Looking at the different components comprising the tattoo, I would venture the opinion that he may have been on special Anti submarine operations
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Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I can delete if needed.
My grandfather got this tattoo while he was in the airforce (WW2), and we are trying to figure out whether there were any references to the airforce in it. If anyone could help it would be much appreciated. :)
Looking at the different components comprising the tattoo, I would venture the opinion that he may have been on special Anti submarine operations
Can you please elaborate about which components of the tattoo lead you to believe that?
Earlier you suggested he was air sea rescue or MU .... I am confused. Which is it? :-\
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Good evening,
I see nothing to suggest anti submarine, air sea rescue or maintenance on the tattoo.
The poster asked if there was any RAF related components to the tattoo and not what he may have done in the RAF.
John915
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Wow! I was surprised to log in and see so many responses. Thank you so much for your extremely helpful info.
This is the clearest I that we could scan the picture. This is actually enhanced quite a bit using photoshop, as in every other photo it is much harder to see.
We aren't sure what the writing says and that is, I guess, what we are trying to decipher. I now agree that it probably says RAF on the left hand side at the top. What i know is that he was an airman who was employed on the repair and maintenance of aircraft armament equipment. He was in India for a few years and was awarded a Burma Star.
He didn't really talk about it much. He actually told us grandkids that it was an anchor (it was faded enough by then that we believed it!).
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Is it too much to hope that there are family members who may know more about it? Does the tattoo appear in any other photos of him (even partially, or from a different angle).
Do you have, or would you consider purchasing his service record? That would tell you if Michael J's suggestion is on the money. :)
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Good morning,
Only two RAF bases out there with short names that would fit. RAF Peru Pegu in Burma and RAF Agra in India. There are a couple with 5 letters but I don't think they fit the tattoo.
Of course, he may not have had it done out there but here in the UK.
John915
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Good evening,
I see nothing to suggest anti submarine, air sea rescue or maintenance on the tattoo.
The poster asked if there was any RAF related components to the tattoo and not what he may have done in the RAF.
John915
Surely, one can expect that the two things are likely to be linked to each other?
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Good afternoon,
Good evening,
I see nothing to suggest anti submarine, air sea rescue or maintenance on the tattoo.
The poster asked if there was any RAF related components to the tattoo and not what he may have done in the RAF.
John915
Surely, one can expect that the two things are likely to be linked to each other?
Yes, there is a link between the two but it was not asked for. What the poster asked was "are there any references to the RAF in the tattoo". Not "what job did he do"and there are certainly no references to any of your suggestions.
Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to be posting this, so I can delete if needed.
My grandfather got this tattoo while he was in the airforce (WW2), and we are trying to figure out whether there were any references to the airforce in it. If anyone could help it would be much appreciated. :)
John915
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The date each side of the sword at the bottom appears to be 1942.
If this is so, the words at the top may be "RAF Torch" relating to Operation Torch in North Africa that year.
Michael.
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The date each side of the sword at the bottom appears to be 1942.
If this is so, the words at the top may be "RAF Torch" relating to Operation Torch in North Africa that year.
Michael.
That has all the hallmarks of a wild guess
Scouseboy,
I find your comment very offensive & I have taken no part in this topic until now!
A 'wild guess' would have no reference to anything!
As it happens, Michael has made 4 valid references in his 1 statement (which all tie in) to which I would agree with wholly!
1. "1942"
2. "RAF Torch"
3. "Operation Torch"
4. "North Africa"
Annie
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That has all the hallmarks of a wild guess
These weren't wild guesses?
He may have been in Air-Sea Rescue or in a Maintenance Unit ( MU ). Or something unusual perhaps?
I would venture the opinion that he may have been on special Anti submarine operations
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Reply #19 has now been edited.
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Thanks Jen,
Pity the poster hasn't deleted his own "wild guess"es :(
However, Michael will see from my quote what was said!!!
Annie
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Quote: "However, Michael will see from my quote what was said!!! Annie"
Thank you Annie. To be charitable I think SB tries to be helpful but sometimes seems to go off at an unrelated tangent.
Michael.
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Thank you Michael J
My father served for the duration of Ww2
And I was an officer in the MoD, and also have studied The Battle of the Atlantic in great detail
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Thank you Michael J
My father served for the duration of Ww2
And I was an officer in the MoD, and also have studied The Battle of the Atlantic in great detail
Sorry but I personally think 'Thank you" should have been followed by an apology for your remark regarding Michael's post which was definitely not deserved!
Annie
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I'd just like to thank everyone again. There has always been a bit of mystery around the tattoo and it's been the topic of much discussion at family gatherings.
I will look into his military records for more clues. In the meantime I will have lots to share at our family Christmas party! ;)
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My father served for the duration of Ww2
With the greatest respect to your father, I really can't understand what relevance this has to this thread?
My father also served for the entire duration of WW 2, as I'm sure, did the fathers and mothers of many other members of Rootschat.
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[/quote author=ScouseBoy link=topic=760533.msg6118257#msg6118257 date=1481133451]
And I was an officer in the MoD, and also have studied The Battle of the Atlantic in great detail
[/quote]
Nowhere in this thread has the Battle of the Atlantic been alluded to by anyone, not a wild guess this time but yet another another total irrelevancy.
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Good afternoon,
[/quote author=ScouseBoy link=topic=760533.msg6118257#msg6118257 date=1481133451]
And I was an officer in the MoD, and also have studied The Battle of the Atlantic in great detail
Nowhere in this thread has the Battle of the Atlantic been alluded to by anyone, not a wild guess this time but yet another another total irrelevancy.
[/quote]
He has previously said he was a computer operator!
John915