The Uniforms of RAF Bands - History
History and Development.
Uniforms have always played a major role in the military both in battle, on parade and in their everyday work. RAF Bands are no exception. Often seen in public their uniforms are of paramount importance. When RAF Bands were first established they wore the Khaki green Army style uniforms inherited from the Royal Flying Corps but this would soon change as the fledgling RAF found its own identity.
In the spring of 1918 the musicians of the Blandford Band assembled at the Savoy Hotel London to be the first in the RAF to be issued with the new blue uniforms. Musician Walter Bloom, pictured below with his family, dashed upstairs to put on his new uniform and be recorded as the ‘First Airman in Blue’. This uniform was distinguished only by the musicians harp on the sleeve.
The Band of the Royal Air Force College was the first to decorate this uniform adding a white cross belt with pouch and white dress cords. However the first full dress uniform was issued to The Central Band of the Royal Air Force and first worn at the wedding of HRH The Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on 26 April 1923. In his book Music in Blue Gilbert Singleton comments “This was traditional in style with a universal peaked cap and single breasted jacket with stand collar, worn with a black waist belt, gold dress cords and trousers with a black mohair stripe’. The Central Band of the Royal Air Force is pictured at the wedding wearing a cape against the rain.
This dress uniform was not issued to The Band of the Royal Air Force College until 1929. They wore the new uniform with the same belt and pouch used to adorn the previous plain blue uniform. One year later on 25 October 1930 The Central Band of the Royal Air Force was issued with the first RAF Ceremonial Helmet or Busby. First worn at the Croydon Flying Display it is seen below being worn for the funeral of Flight Lieutenant H.R.D. Waghorn, winner of the 1929 Schneider Trophy with a speed of 328.6 mph.
Prior to the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 it was decided that the dress uniform should be revised and that both bands would now wear the same style of dress. As a result both Bands were issued with an updated version of both the dress uniform and the Ceremonial Helmet. The picture below shows The Band of the Royal Air Force College resplendent in the new attire.
Unfortunately this uniform only survived for a year or so as the bands reverted to normal service dress for the duration of World War Two. In 1946 the old dress uniform was officially shelved. The Central Band of the Royal Air Force were issued with a new version of there own while The Band of the Royal Air Force College and the many other bands established during the war continued to wear normal service dress.
In 1950 the regional bands as they had become known were issued with a less elaborate version of the uniform. It was used post war by The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, essentially the same but missing the gold leg stripe, back panel and cuff detail, instead a white belt and white knotted dress cords were used. The only addition allowed to this uniform was the RAF Regiment shoulder patches worn by The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. The Central Band of the Women’s Royal Air Force were issued with the same decorations as the men but retained the collar and tie as well as the male pattern jacket.
The decision to equip all the established male bands with the same pattern of dress was finally taken in 1958. This uniform consisted of a dark blue tunic and trousers with paler blue leg stripe, a blue and gold belt with elaborate buckle and a ceremonial peaked cap. Initially the only variation allowed to this pattern was the shoulder flashes worn by The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment but a The Central Band of the Royal Air Force shoulder flash made an appearance shortly after the initial issue. The Central Band of the Women’s Royal Air Force were also issued with a new uniform. This followed their usual collar and tie pattern but with an ‘air hostess’ style hat which they continued to use until their disbandment in 1972.
Before 1970 the Principle Director of Music an the Director of Music of The Central Band of the Royal Air Force were entitled to wear full dress uniform with all other Directors using standard Officer No1 uniform and sword but with an embellished cap. However by 1st July 1970 and following much argument, all Directors of Music were given an extra uniform allowance to purchase a full dress tunic.
In 1976, for the Silver jubilee of our present Queen, all the Bands were issued with the style of parade uniform which can be seen today, issued in blue for home use and in white for hotter climates. Originally worn with a ceremonial peaked cap the ensemble was completed by the addition of the Busby with a red plume for officers and warrant officers and blue for everyone else. In 1998 the current wardrobe of the RAF Musician was complemented with the addition of a Ceremonial Concert Dress based on mess dress but with gold decoration.
On 29 April 2011 at the Wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton, RAF Music Services retired the Busby after thirty-five years in favour of a Ceremonial Cap. The change was made as it was felt the Cap better reflected the public image of the RAF as a whole, the Busby being exclusive to the Bands.
Follow the link below to complete the story with a review of the ceremonial uniforms in use today.
Click here for The Uniforms of RAF Music Services - Today