ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
Royal Auxiliary Air Force Badge
In 1984 , on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee , the Royal Auxiliary Air Force was awarded its own badge which was designed by the College of Arms . In recognition of the Force ’ s close association with the Royal Air Force , the badge ’ s motto reads “ Comitamur Ad Astra ” which translates to “ We go with them to the stars ”.
The Blazon 1 for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force badge reads :
A circlefimbriated and inscribed with the words ROYAL AUXILIARY
AIR FORCE azure in front thereof a pair of wings conjoined fesswise also azure ensigned with an Astral Crown all set above a scroll azure doubled gules bearing the motto “ COMITAMUR AS ASTRA ” and having between the circle and scroll , two sprigs of oak fructed gold and whole ensigned with the Royal Crown proper .
The original badge was presented to Headquarters Air Command . A true copy of the Badge , also painted by the College of Arms , was commissioned by Group Captain RTW Mighall ( RAuxAF Inspector 1994-2000 ), was presented to the Royal Air Force Club , where it can be seen in the Club ’ s foyer .
Sovereigns Colour
The origin of colours in the military date from the Middle Ages , during the time when Lords and Barons each had their own banner bearing his coat or arms and shown on his shield and was carried at the head of his ‘ personal ’ army . In Elizabethan times , many of the infantry captains were from humbler origins which possessed no coats of arms , so flags ( ensigns ) of distinctive coloured patterns were used instead . These flags were adopted as The Colours ’ of the military formations ( Regiments ), coming into mainstream use during the English Civil War and carried on active service during conflict until 1881 .
First presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at RAF Benson in 1989 , the Royal Auxiliary Air Force became the first United Kingdom Reserve formation to be awarded a Colour . In line with tradition , it is made of hand embroidered RAF blue silk , is three feet and nine inches square and is carried on a pike eight feet and six inches long , surmounted by a gilded crown to which are attached
2 light blue 30-inch tassels . Carried in a belt of blue-grey barathea , edged with gold and light-blue lace , at its centre is the Royal Cypher . At the A Freedom Parade in Gloucester top left is the Union flag whilst the Astral Crown of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Badge is at the bottom right .
Under the authority of the RAuxAF Inspectorate , The Sovereigns Colour is paraded across the country by RAuxAF Sqns for formal events such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Event at Capel Le Ferne or Sqn Freedom Parades .
After the presentation of the second Sovereigns Colour in July 2010 , the first Sovereigns Colour was laid up on 28 October 2012 in the RAF Church of St Clement Danes in London .
1 A Blazon is the heraldic description of ceremonial insignia such as a coat of arms , shield , or badge .
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