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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 10:50 BST (UK)

Title: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 10:50 BST (UK)
Can anyone please tell me whether this man's uniform is Army or RAF? It is of John William Long and is dated 1940,
Thanks for looking.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or Navy Uniform?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 20 September 23 10:51 BST (UK)
It's RAF.
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:08 BST (UK)
Thank you so much Shaun for your help and your swift response, this will help me to trace his Family and send them the photo.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Crumblie on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:26 BST (UK)
I am not so sure that it is RAF, the eagle connot be clearly seen and it should, and the collar of the shirt looks odd as well for the period.
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Jebber on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:29 BST (UK)
I agree with Shaun RAF.
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:29 BST (UK)
I have found some matching names of the right area and age on Ancestry trees but they all say that he was in the army?
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:32 BST (UK)
I know the photo is sepia toned but the tie is very dark which would suggest a black tie which would fit with RAF uniform. Thanks for your responses,
Not sure though.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: tonepad on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:54 BST (UK)
Can the buttons be enlarged?

RAF WW2 Buttons:

https://militaryglories.co.uk/raf-ww2-x3-j-r-gaunt-buttons-539-p.asp


Tony
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: medpat on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:56 BST (UK)
It's RAF = light shirt dark tie help identify it, I am ex WRAF
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 12:08 BST (UK)
Quote from: tonepad on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:54 BST (UK)
Can the buttons be enlarged?

RAF WW2 Buttons:

https://militaryglories.co.uk/raf-ww2-x3-j-r-gaunt-buttons-539-p.asp


Tony

I have tried but the buttons are blown out so there is not detail.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 12:10 BST (UK)
Quote from: medpat on Wednesday 20 September 23 11:56 BST (UK)
It's RAF = light shirt dark tie help identify it, I am ex WRAF

Yes I realise that as I mentioned earlier about the dark tie, my Son is RAF Aircrew. If it was army, the khaki tie would appear lighter.
I wanted confirmation to be sure.

Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 20 September 23 12:18 BST (UK)
I'm looking at the medal ribbons. Had he served in WW1?
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 12:31 BST (UK)
I did wonder about that, but at the moment, I am looking at online trees on Ancestry to find a match. I bought it in Hull and am trying to find his Family to return it to them.
Thanks for your input.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 20 September 23 15:13 BST (UK)
Served overseas in WW1 but doesn't look much older than 40ish so probably born circa 1898.

There are 6 RAF men named John William Long listed in AIR78 ! No help there.

Re the uniform, it's not just the shirt and tie that suggest RAF. It's the RAF tunic.
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 20 September 23 15:35 BST (UK)
Thanks so much for taking the time to look, very helpful and it's much appreciated.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Shazbaz on Thursday 21 September 23 02:03 BST (UK)
Carol, what a beautiful thing to do for the family ❤️ I would be so touched and grateful if someone did that for me, such a kind gesture x
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 21 September 23 08:27 BST (UK)
Thank you for that, I collect old photos and postcards with names on the back, then try to find the relatives on Ancestry. It is very rewarding as some people don't have photos of their relatives.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 21 September 23 09:36 BST (UK)
I have found his relatives...he was born in Hull, (where I bought the photo) in 1898  :D
Thank you all for your help.
Carol
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Shazbaz on Thursday 21 September 23 09:44 BST (UK)
That’s great news, I’m sure the family will be very happy 😊
Title: Re: Army or RAF Uniform?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 21 September 23 09:51 BST (UK)
Yes Shaz, delighted  :D
Thanks to the help on this post.
Carol