The Air Despatch Brevet
Michael Riches
I do not recall what prompted it, but whilst with 55 Coy at ‘KL’ (Kuala Lumpur), I submitted a sketch for a brevet to be worn on their uniform by Air Despatchers.
It was envisaged that this would be an embellishment similar to the RAF Air Gunner and worn on the chest. However, in the corridors of the War Office those responsible for Dress Regulations vetoed the chest but approved the sleeve.
Such things do not happen overnight and I was back in the UK when formal recognition was given to the design. Now separated from my flying records it took weeks of correspondence to ‘prove’ that I had the requisite number of sorties to qualify to wear the badge which I had originated!