RAF Regiment cap badge in photo?

Hello. I am trying to determine if the cap badge in the attached photo is an RAF Regiment cap badge despite being worn with an Army General Service cap? It is thought the individual may have been posted temporarily to a British Army unit during the 1944/45 Greek campaign, retained his RAF cap badge and adopted the army GS cap. The photo was taken in Athens 1945, the cap badge might be from an RAF Regiment deployed with Force 140 sent to Greece in 1944/45.

Though glare blurs detail I suspected it might be RAF Regiment after comparing all the regimental cap badges of units deployed to Greece with Force 140 in 1944/45. Of the lot five stood out, the RAF Regiment cap badge came closest as it has a broader amount of light & dark clutter an reflected bands in its center compared to the rest (see attached images).

It is my understanding from reading threads in this forum that it was not an unusual practice to intermix headgear and insignia between services. Seems there was some consensus by posters Watchdog, Paul D, JimmyE, Ben Evans and Michael Ryan in the “maroon beret thread” that intermixing of berets and cap badges was not unheard of.

To give some context the gentleman in the photo is Pawel Makarow (1916-1953) who was Polish, unfortunately no record of him can be found by the UK MOD. He is obviously not wearing a Polish style beret or wearing a Polish Eagle. His family inquired at APC Polish Historical Disclosures in Northholt but they had no record of him either. The family has pursued many avenues including the Sikorsky Museum in London, CAW in Warsaw and military researchers with no results. They are waiting to hear from the Polish Red Cross and ITS (International Tracing Service). It was suggested by a researcher that the British Army probably gave him an alias, many Poles who made there way to the UK or Middle East did this to protect their families back home. Its the likely reason why he cannot be traced.

Your thoughts on which cap badge he is wearing would be appreciated.
Chris…..

 

Have you tried to find his family?

He married Alma Wilshaw at Stoke on Trent in the March 1950 Qtr. Two sons, Stanley (Sept 1950 Qtr) and Nicholas (Sept 1951 Qtr), both born at Stoke on Trent.

It doesn't appear Alma remarried.

Regards,

Dave

 

Thanks Dave but yes, I have posted on the family‘s behalf (was mentioned in post that the family has tried many avenues).

 

Just for info

England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
Name: Pawel Makarow
Death Age: 37
Birth Date: abt 1916
Registration Date: Dec 1953
Registration district: Stoke on Trent
Inferred County: Staffordshire
Volume: 9b
Page: 516

England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
Name: Pawel Makarow
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1950
Registration district: Stoke
Inferred County: Staffordshire
Spouse: Alma Wilshaw
Volume Number: 9b
Page Number: 1434

There are a number of trees for Makarow, but no Pawels I'm afraid

TD

 

My eyes were similarly tricked.

 

Your keen eyes are appreciated Owen and bamboo43 thank you, I overlooked this cap badge. Not entirely convinced there is a cross in my photo though, at least not in the same sense as the Cameron cross. Have enlarged the photo and made a comparative set of images, the Cameron cross is broad & large and sits higher compared to the photo which (understandably) is glared and blurry. Upon looking closely at the images I can see a resemblance and difference. Any thoughts?

 

I must say I'm not sure I see the Camerons' badge in the original photo, there appears to be an open area between what we're taking as the lower half of beams. However, difficult to be sure it isn't just the light. In fact I don't really see the top of the Camerons' badge either, now I look again. Wreath or whatever seems closed, perhaps on a crown - a bit like KOSB (but again, I don't think so). I'm not really convinced by the cross, although I was persuaded for some time, but I don't have a credible alternative either! Army Air Corps?

Will keep Googling...

 

Does not answer your question ,just out of interest, came across this letter today that I will post in full in Airborne area.
Extract from a letter by Colonel Frost ref. Red Beret.

When this beret was first introduced it was not all that popular and many preferred to go on wearing their old Regimental headgear .I well remember the struggle I had to part an Ulster rifleman from his “Corbeen”.despite all my efforts ,he was still wearing it when he was killed in Tunisia long after we had persuaded everyone else to adopt the beret.

 

Thanks Pat and redtop! As first mentioned in my post the only cap badge that seemed to fit the one in the image was that of the RAF Regiment. I have enlarged the photo and made a comparative pair of RAF Regiment badge images. Admittedly my impression is controversial given the man in the photo is not wearing an RAF beret. At the same time though (as redtop mentioned) I have read on this forum that intermixing of berets and cap badges was not unheard of. [edit] RAF Regiment Squadrons 2902, 2908, 2923, 2924 and 2926 were sent to Greece in 1944/45.

 

Pat you maybe on to something with mention of the badge possibly being British Army Air Corps. I have enlarged the photo and added a comparative number of British Army Air Corps badges. Its a close intriguing match though the beret is different! Any thoughts or impressions?

Question, was the Army Air Corps similar to Paratroopers or a support arm within that branch? Were any Army Air Corps units sent to Greece with Force 140 in 1944/45?

 

Image of a gentleman in the Army Air Corps from the BBC Wartime Memory Project.
Note the similarity of his cap badge to Pawel's.

 

Hi

Could this chaps badge be from the Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR) ?



The 1st Independent Glider Pilot Squadron arrived in Greece in October 1944.

Most flew back with their gliders back to Italy in early December, but there might have been rear party in Athens somewhere until the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade sailed for Italy at the end of January 1945..

Although there nothing in the diaries to support this.

Gus

 

I did wonder about the Glider Pilot Regiment, but thought they were NW Europe - shows what I know! Could be. Trouble with this comparative stuff is, everything looks possible and then a day later, nothing like... I'm not now sure the AAC badge is right...

Pat

 

Thanks very much Pat & Gus, and everyone for your input! I tried a web search of the 'Glider Pilot Regiment' cap badge but came up with no photos of it on a beret, only the AAC badge is seen within photo results (which is no surprise). Though the quality of my photo leaves much to be desired I think we've narrowed down the unit affiliation considerably and will pursue this new lead. Gus please watch for a private message from me.

Regards
Chris.....

 

There is a notch at the bottom of the badge this is similar to tank regiment badge but not the same

Also they are not uk Medal ribbons as these not issued until 1946

 

Is it a polish badge?

 

Thanks James

I do not believe it is a Polish cap badge as they look nothing similar. There would also be a Polish eagle on the beret as well.