archangel9 Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 Knowing nothing about tunics I would appreciate opinions on this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Royal-Flying-Corps-Connaught-Rangers-Tunic-/200565987695?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2eb2aa196f John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 The RFC became the RAF before the war ended. The medals were issued after the war so to see the two together is incorrect. Regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max7474 Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 If there are only 5 Connaught MC winners with RFC wings then it should be pretty easy to ID the Lt who had served in the Connaughts, had served in the RFC, did not serve with the RAF but returned to the Army in 1919 when he put his ribbons on, all of this after 1919 and before 1922 when the Connaughts went. How many Lts fit that criteria. Either that or he has some good needlework skills..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF_Louvert Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 . Not all RFC officers switched to the RAF wings when the change came on 1 April 1918, and many actually kept their old wings throughout the remainder of the War, (and a bit beyond). The tunic looks like it could be correct and original, but I would want the names of the five possible officers to whom it may have belonged to one of, as well as the name of the auction house so it could verify when it was sold and who offered it. IMHO, that's a lot to pay for a tatty example, but could be worth it if it's history can be proven. Cheers! Lou . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tocemma Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 RFC wings were worn after the war but their status was unofficial really. Just out of interest, I once owned a Home Guard Captain's battledress blouse from the WW2 era. I acquired this from the daughter of the original wearer. It had an RFC wing, MC and Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. So unofficialy at least they continued for some time. I think Max has hit the nail on the head. It should be relatively easy to identify the original owner. As to the tunic hmmmm.....yes dates of sale, names etc. But very tired. I notice no photos of buttons, are they leather or Connaught? Where exactly is it 'badged' to the Connaught's? Tocemma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 16 January , 2011 Share Posted 16 January , 2011 The RFC became the RAF before the war ended. The medals were issued after the war so to see the two together is incorrect. Regards. Tom. It was possible then and still is to wear the wings of the service in which they were earned. As you say, the RFC became the RAF in April 1918 before the war ended, but it was not uncommon for army pilots to retain their RFC wings on SD in whatever unit they served with after the war. It was not obligatory to change them to RAF as there was a kind of 'grandfather's rights' attitude and there was also the matter of cost as tailoring was a personal expense for officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archangel9 Posted 16 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 16 January , 2011 Where exactly is it 'badged' to the Connaught's? Tocemma Was thinking that too. What evidence is there of the Connaught Rangers? I don't see it. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark holden Posted 17 January , 2011 Share Posted 17 January , 2011 I believe, but stand to be corrected, that this tunic was sold by Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn last year. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archangel9 Posted 17 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 17 January , 2011 I believe, but stand to be corrected, that this tunic was sold by Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn last year. Mark Mark, Looks like you are correct. http://www.tennants.co.uk/Catalogue/Lots/50956.aspx "A First World War Khaki Tunic, to a Lieutenant of the Royal Flying Corps, formerly in the Connaught Rangers, with brass buttons and medal ribbon, including Military Cross, with peaked cap; a No.1 Blues Peaked Cap, to an officer of the Green Howards, with leather chin strap and brass buttons. (3) Guide Price: £60-80 Sold: £500" These are the five possibles mentioned by the seller - "Research with Regimental Museum has identified only 5 possibile owners " 1. Medal card of Inglis, George Steevens Corps Regiment No Rank Connaught Rangers Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps Lieutenant King's African Rifles Lieutenant 2. Medal card of Bellew, William Arthur Grattan Corps Regiment No Rank Royal Flying Corps Second Lieutenant Connaught Rangers Royal Flying Corps Major Dow 24/3/17 3. Medal card of Tiptaft, Cyril Paxman Corps Regiment No Rank Connaught Rangers Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force Second Lieutenant LG - 22/8/1919 Lt. C P Tiptaft MC Placed on retired list due to ill health caused by wounds. 4. Medal card of Maguire, Matthew Lawrence Corps Regiment No Rank Connaught Rangers Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps Temporary Lieutenant DoW 28/04/1917 5. Medal card of Gregory, Robert Corps Regiment No Rank Connaught Rangers Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps Temporary Major MC and Legion of honour. Numbers 2 and 4 can, I believe, be ruled out as the BW & V Medals were not authorised until 1919. I think number 5 can also be ruled out as he held the rank of Temporary Major in the RFC. If my thinking is correct that leaves 1. Inglis, George Steevens and 3. Tiptaft, Cyril Paxman, as the possible owners of the tunic. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshipped Posted 1 January , 2013 Share Posted 1 January , 2013 Sorry to resurrect this thread but I'd imagine James Lee Jackson or Frederick Frank Reilly Minchin would also have been candidates as ex Connaught Rangers with the Royal Flying Corps, later RAF. (Oscar Heron was ex-Connaught Rangers but, as far as I recall, he received the DFC, not the MC). I may need to dust off some old USB sticks but I do remember an attempt at a spreadsheet for Irish winners of gallantry medals who served with the RFC after service with an Irish regiment. I gather the figure was over 100, so it would be likely that there'd be at least a dozen Connaught Rangers. (Will re-check, as it may be useful to the forum to post some research for others to add). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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