Observer's Flying Badge, Service Dress, 1938 Pattern, of Squadron Leader Stanley Albert Booker

First introduced to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915 the Observer’s Badge was worn by aircrew who were not pilots but undertook a range of flying duties.

With the formation of the Royal Air Force, the Observer’s Badge was retained. However, in the 1920s, the training of Observers and issuing of the badge was discontinued with those who had previously qualified for the badge being allowed to continue wearing them. In the 1930s, increasingly large and complex aircraft saw the reintroduction of specialised non-pilot aircrew and the Observer’s Badge was reinstated in 1938. This example belonged to Squadron Leader Stanley Albert Booker.