Description
Physical description
cap and badge
WAAF officer's pattern blue service dress cap in barathea. The crown is made in three sections with a 'V' seam to the front with a cloth covered stitched peak. The cap band is black mohair and the chinstrap black patent leather. The badge comprises a gilt albatross above a bullion wire wreath, all surmounted by a King's crown in proper colours. This example bears two tailors' labels, Bailey& Wetherill Ltd, 89 Regent St. W. and M Berman Ltd, 18 Irving St. Leicester Sq. WC2. The first printed on the inside of the cap and the second embroidered on a label inside the headband. The name B.Richardson is written on a label inside the headband.
Label
Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) Service Dress cap associated with the Second World War career of Flight Officer B M B C Ellis-Rowell WAAF (Mrs B M B C Richardson), who was commissioned in 1942 and spent two years as an Equipment Officer and also Barrack Officer at RAF Sealand. She later she moved to No.43 Group HQ at Oxford as a Staff Officer. In late 1944 she became Officer in Charge, Engine Spares at RAF Henlow. From Henlow Ellis-Rowell was posted to the 2nd Tactical Air Force based at Bicester, Oxford, where she served as Equipment Liaison Officer until her demobilisation in August 1945.
History note
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force, established in June 1939, was formed from the nucleus of forty-eight ATS companies attached to the RAF. The WAAF was mobilised on 1 September 1939 and the first regulations relating to uniform were published as Air Ministry Order A550/39. In April 1942 the first conscripts were called up under the National Service Acts. By the end of hostilities the WAAF numbered some 182,000. Airwomen served in 22 officer categories and 75 trades. The successor to the WAAF, the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) was placed on a permanent footing as a service of the Crown in 1949. WAAF officer's uniforms were similar in design to RAF officer's uniforms although, obviously, adapted for the female form. Wartime WAAF officer's rank titles differed slightly from those of their RAF counterparts, the rank of Flight Officer being the equivalent of Flight Lieutenant.
Printed (inside)
Bailey + Weatherill LTD 89 REGENT ST. W
Embroidered (on label inside headband)
M Berman Ltd, 18 IRVING ST., LEICESTER SQ., W.C.2
Written (on label inside headband)
B.M.RICHARDSON