Parachute ‘Wings’ Badge - Wartime

Many early parachutists prior to the official issue of badges wore a pin backed enamel promotional badges produced by the GQ Company, who manufactured the parachutes the men used.

A memo circulated amongst various elements including the Chief of the General Staff from 6 August 1940 entitled ‘Badge for Parachute Troops’ , stated:

1) As a result of the decision to train parachute troops it is proposed to introduce a special badge to be worn by such personnel when trained.

2) The object of the badge is promote Esprit de Corps amongst parachute troops by giving them a distinctive badge.

3) The qualification recommended is the completion of all parachute drops and has been arranged by the Air Ministry.

4) A drawing of the proposed badge is attached. It will in cloth, worked with pale blue wings and a white parachute and worn above the left breast pocket in the same way as the pilots’ wings in the RAF.

5) The council are asked to agree to the introduction of the badge and to the approved following proposed condition for its issue.

1. a) To be worn by all officers and other ranks who have qualified as stated in paragraph 3 above.
2. b) To be worn permanently by those qualified even after they have ceased to employed with a parachute commando. The qualification or the badge will not carry with it any extra pay or allowances.

A design was eventually completed by July/August 1940 and then forwarded from the Secretary of State, Charles Evans to the Air Ministry.  Although the Council did not propose any changes to the design, they did insist that the badge we worn on the right arm, not the breast. The final sealed pattern of the insignia was approved on 30 October and was listed as “Badges, Arm, Parachutists, Catalogue No. CB5341, Pattern 11566”. The first badges were manufactured by Lewis Falk Ltd, of Letchworth in Herefordshire. The first order was for just over 3000 badges.

Initially there was confusion as to whereabouts on the right arm the wings should be worn. As the original instructions clashed with the location of rank insignia. So it was eventually agreed that the insignia should be worn 2 inches from the top of the right shoulder.

An Army Council Instruction (ACI) solved the choice of background colour. It was suggested that the wings should be in the same format as the proficiency and skill at arms badge. So a Khaki backing was decided upon. These early badges were created with an oblong backing that many neatly trimmed so the wings were more prominent.

By 20^th December 1940 the parachutist wings insignia was given royal approval by the King. Other Ranks were given a free issue of 2 sets of wings, though officers were required to pay for their new insignia. The final stage in 27 December 1940 was the official authorization within ACI 1589.

By January 1941 to co ordinate with the issue of jacket parachutists, a third wing was issued to qualifying troops. During WW2 and enormous quantity of parachute wings were produced. and the basic design never changed.  However various manufacturers made changes to characteristics. Later on in the War the embroidered design became more defined, having horizontal stitching and a slightly rounded base to the canopy. The rear of the badge often had a white backing cloth.

Parachute instructors were sent from RAF Ringway to New Delhi, India. The wings issued here, to those who qualified, often featured black backing. Many troops sourced, inexpensive, locally made wings too.  These insignia varied greatly and often display a wonderful intricacy of detail and beauty.

Suggested further reading "British Airborne Insignia" by Oliver Lock