600 'City of London' Squadron Plaque

Another very fine plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. 600 City of London Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force is a squadron of the RAF Reserve and really needs no introduction. It was formed in 1925 and originally intended to operate both in the day and night role. However, the squadron soon adapted to the night fighters and was one of the first units to use Airborne Interception radar. The Squadron served throughout the Battle of Britain, flying from Manston & Hornchurch and won battle honours for Home defence (1940–42), France and Low Countries (1940), The Battle of Britain (1940), North Africa (1942–43), Sicily (1943),Italy (1943–45), and Salerno, Anzio, Nettuno, the Gustav Line and the Gothic Line. They operated the Blenheim, Beaufighter, and Mosquito in WWII and at wars end, when 600 was disbanded, it was declared the highest scoring night fighter squadron in the RAF, as detailed in our final image attached. Post war, with the reactivation of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 600 was reformed on 10th May 1946 at Biggin Hill as a day fighter squadron. It was initially equipped with Spitfires followed by Meteors. It was disbanded again on 10th March 1957, but was reformed on 1st October 1999 to provide basic and professional training to part-time reservists in a variety of RAF ground trades.

600 is the only squadron in the RAF to have two official badges, one (as here) featuring the City of London crest and is called "The Dustcart Crest" as the badge is found on all vehicles operated by the Corporation of The City of London! The second badge is called "The Moon and Paperknife". The design was decided on when the Sqn was based in N Africa and represents the Squadron's role as a Night Fighter unit at that time. Post war, on the reformation of the Sqn at Biggin Hill as a day fighter Sqn the Officers reverted to the original crest. This was unofficial until the then CO, spoke to the Honorary Air Commodore about it. She replied that she would "Have a word with her husband about it". As our HAC was HM Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen 's Mother), and her husband was King George VI, and the authorisation of the second badge quickly followed. The squadrons motto is "Praeter Sescentos" which appropriately translates to "More than six hundred" and reading the synopsis above it seems entirely appropriate!

We have only ever had one other 600 Squadron plaque that sold very quickly to a US collector. This one is an even nicer example, so grab the opportunity to add it to you collection whilst you can. The RAF eagle, the City of London Crest and the scroll below all stand out in relief from the oak shield, that carries a recessed wall hanger to the back. It remains in excellent original condition, with just minor age-related wear, as to be expected. It measures an impressive 10" x 6.75" (25 cm x 17 cm)