RAF VR Volunteer Reserve Sleeve Eagles

Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve sleeve Eagle RAFVR

Worn on the upper sleeves of Other ranks Service Dress and battledress as a mark that they had Volunteered.

Formed in 1936 the RAFVR was initially composed of civilians recruited from flying schools, also members of the RAFO ( Reserve Airforce Flying Officer) who had completed a 4 year short service commission as pilots, Navigators were former master mariners with no flying experience. Men between the age of 18 and 25 with no previous skills were accepted for Part time training as Pilots, Observers and Wireless Operators to provide reserve crews in case of War starting.

When war broke out the RAFVR was the principle means of entry to become RAF aircrew, Civilians on being accepted were to the RAF were then inducted into the RAFVR and returned to there civilian job until called for.

During 1941 half of all bomber command were VR and many of the many of the pre war  Fighter pilots and Observers NCO where in combat squadrons.

During 1943 the Air ministry raised an order for all RAFVR to remove there VR brass and cloth from there uniform's this was not always adhered  to.