Our Heraldic Badge
On INSERT DATE, 1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Squadron was granted an official badge by the Royal Air Force Inspectorate of Badges at the College of Arms.
It is a great privilege to bear an official unit badge, which now takes pride of place on our second squadron banner, as well as being used in other official capacities.
Information on RAF badges: RAF Museum
The Central Image
It was important that the badge’s design secured elements of our squadron’s rich history, while remaining visually uncluttered.
Our traditional home was situated on the site of the Blackburn Aircraft Factory of Brough (now BAe Systems), from whose founder and namesake we derive a part of our current official designation (Hawker Blackburn). Our squadron was originally called No. 1324 (Blackburn & General Aircraft) Squadron.
Resting on the banks of the River Humber, our squadron has historically been situated aside a rather recognisable geographical landmark.
Now based at Halifax Barracks in Hull, we discovered a way to bring together the past and the present in a simple, visual form factor.
Petuaria: Brough-on-Humber’s Rich History
Petuaria (or Petuaria Parisorum) was originally a Roman fort situated where the town of Brough in the East Riding of Yorkshire now stands.[1] Petuaria means something like 'quarter' or 'fourth part', incorporating the archaic Brythonic *petuar, 'four' (compare modern Welsh pedwar).
It was founded in 70 AD and abandoned in about 125. The adjacent civitas (civil town), ferry-crossing and (attested) port which grew over and replaced the fort survived until about 370, and was probably the capital of the Celtic tribe called the Parisi. Petuaria marked the southern end of the Roman roadknown now as Cade's Road, which ran roughly northwards for a hundred miles to Pons Aelius (modern day Newcastle upon Tyne). The section from Petuaria to Eboracum (York) was also the final section of Ermine Street.
Roman Petuaria seems a genuine precursor to the strategic importance now held by the modern port city of Kingston upon Hull, founded in the Middle Ages. For anyone travelling by boats of shallow draught, the Humberis still a gateway into much of England east of the Pennines. Eight major rivers can be accessed from the North Sea through the estuary: the Ouse, Hull, Derwent, Wharfe, Aire, Don, Trent and Ancholme. That is why eight river goddesses who are shown reclining on the great mosaic[5] from nearby Brantingham Roman villa are sometimes interpreted as representing the practical importance of these English rivers in Roman times for transport and travel.
Part of a reconstruction of Petuaria in the Hull and East Riding Museum
Dedication stone of the Roman Theatre, on display in the Hull and East Riding Museum
The Admiral of the Humber
The Lord Mayor of the City of Kingston upon Hull also holds the office of Admiral of the Humber.
The armorial achievement of the Admiral of the Humber quarters the three ducal coronets of Hull on a blue background with an anchor on a red background, bringing together the two significant elements of the office.
The armorial achievement of the Admiral of the Humber
Combining the Designs
We then fused these elements together, joining our historical position on the banks of the River Humber with our new home in the City of Kingston upon Hull. Although new to us as a home, we have a rich history of engagement with, and support to, the city. This was therefore considered a very fitting merger of heraldic symbology.
Early sketches of the concept, drawn on a mess chit at RAF Henlow.
By Capt Clive Cheesman GSC, Richmond Herald and Earl Marshal’s Secretary, for Flt Lt Luke Clifford-Roper-Smith VR RAuxAF on 15 Nov 23.
About Our Motto - “Défi Relevé”
We then turned to the motto, with a desire to immortalise an inspiring sentiment that would speak to our ideals, while necessarily being unique from any other heraldic badge.
While many mottos appear in English (and some in other languages), it is very traditional for mottoes to be presented in either Latin or French. This is largely a matter of taste, and is a decision often made based on how it will look and sound. Some mottoes, while compelling in one language, can lose their impact in another, and so finding the right balance of sentiment and translation is a process best not rushed.
TBC.
The official heraldic badge of 1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Squadron, Air Training Corps. PLACEHOLDER
