RAF Air gunners uniform group

**Adrian Stevenson** · 11-12-2008, 12:20 PM

Hi Guys, this is a small uniform group from my collection. It was purchased directly from the Veteran by someone whom I knew, but he is now deceased. He promptly split the group up! I managed to secure the jacket and after finding there were other items, I then chased up the other buyers to reunite the broken group. Fortunatly, they all were friends of mine who lived locally and they agreed to sell me the items. In fact, it was a husband and wife group. Lez obtained the ATS uniform which belonged to his wife and which now resides in her collection.

The airman "GH Holmes" was a Warrant Officer and an air gunner. I believe he served on Lancasters.

The first item I will show is his sheepskin Irving flying trousers. These are in great condition and have the original braces. Some of the zips are "Air Ministry" marked. He did keep the jacket too after he left the RAF, but wore it out using it for motorcycling after the war.

Each item is named and serial numbered to him.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 11-12-2008, 12:23 PM

Here we have his service dress tunic, which is very small in size and has seen a good amount of use.

The lower sleeves bear his WO rank insignia. Warrant Officers being senior NCO's were allowed to wear private purchase tunics of Officers quality. These did not bear the eagle insignia on the upper shoulders like Other Ranks or more junior NCO's.

The breast shows his Air Gunners brevet and ribbon bar, with ribbons for the 1939-45 star, Air Crew Europe Star and Defence Medal.

The makers label is located on the inside jacket pocket. "Moss Bros" are a very well known tailors in Great Britain.

The tunic has two holes in the upper collar which once bore the brass "VR" insgnia of the "Volunteer Reserve". These he has removed in order to comply with the 1943 change in uniform regualtions.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 11-12-2008, 12:24 PM

His "Field Service" or "FS" cap is of Officers pattern. WO's were allowed to wear this pattern of cap. So the insignia is the same as used by Commisioned Ranks and is brass, two piece, with screwback fittings held in place by a one peice retaining plate.

Cheers, Ade.

**Paul D** · 11-12-2008, 05:47 PM

Lovely Group Ade and to have it's history and that of the man who owned it too !!

regards

Paul

ace · 11-13-2008, 04:31 PM

amazing how well it all looks after all these years. the trousers are just perfect

Adibug · 06-10-2009, 02:16 PM

This is amazing! I've been trying to track down the uniforms for any number of different armies to compare them to a pewter figure we discovered under our house which I'm using as a basis for a major assignment in Historical Archaeology. Your detailed info and photos have been a great help, thankyou so much!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 06-10-2009, 09:01 PM

Glad the pics were of use to you! Welcome to the forum!

Cheers, Ade.

**Gary Cain** · 06-17-2009, 11:00 PM

Beautiful set Ade and good for you keeping it all together!!

You are also lucky as there is only one G.H Holmes listed in the 1945 RAF Air Force List, his service number was 187788 and he is listed as a Warrant Air Gunner as of March 29 on page 413 row 1702v.