Fellowship of the Bellows Badges

The Fellowship of the Bellows was a fundraising organisation originating in Argentina in 1940 to collect money to purchase additional aircraft for the RAF during the Battle of Britain. The bellows referred to the need for ‘more air force’.

Individuals could join the Fellowship by pledging an amount of money for every enemy aircraft the RAF brought down. Fellows received a badge according to how much they donated, starting with the rank of Puff and ending in Typhoon, with the final rank of The Order of the Bellows. The scheme soon spread to Brazil and Uruguay and ultimately the Fellowship contributed approximately £600,000 to the RAF.