badge, rank, Royal Air Force, officers

Royal Air Force khaki service dress sleeve rank insignia to a Major, 1918-19, being a fragment of khaki uniform sleeve on which is sewn one small 5/16-inch between two normal 9/16-inch wide strips of rank lace. The narrow central strip appears to have a green/gold background and very pale central stripe, rather than the standard khaki and pale blue stripe. Above the top braid ring, a flying eagle, looking left, with above it a King's crown, both in gilded metal. Eagle and crown with one and two screw fittings respectively to reverse, with which they are secured to the sleeve with a single backing plate and three circular nuts.

Following the formation of the RAF in 1918, two uniforms were provided for officers: one service dress khaki uniform and one pale blue-grey, intended as an optional mess dress. In July 1918 this was sanctioned for daytime wear as service dress. Rank was indicated on the cuffs with khaki rank lace that bore a central pale blue stripe. Above these rings, a gilt metal eagle and separate crown was worn. The RAF continued to use army rank titles until August 1919.