a most rare royal airforce 57 bomber  squadron cloth  patch 

vintage  squadron  patch  of 1940-45 vintage 

black cotton  with silk detail of  57 over phoenix within flames of a  log fire

measuring 8.5cm x 10cm   [ 3 1/2 inches by 4 inches ]

full colour  with no loose threads 

reverse with black gauze backing

removed from uniform with no damage

no 75 bomber squadron " cheltenham`s own " 

with motto "  i change my body but not my spirit "

the badge commemorates  during the first war on one occasion the whole squadron`s personnel became casualties within a few days  but the squadron remained in action with all new personnel

no 57  rfc was formed near york , copmanthorpe on 8th june 1916

dec 1916 france as fighter recon..   may 1917 ypres bombing recon

2ww first bombing mission 12 may 1940      last bombing mission 25 april 1945