A DEDICATION service has taken place at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The RAF Trade Group 11 Association Memorial commemorates Royal Air Force personnel who have work the ‘Sparks’ badge for service to provide communications support of maritime, land and air operations.
Operators have worked to carry crucial messages during times of conflict, including deploying with the Falklands Task Force.
Technology advances saw the Trade Group 11 cease to be in 2005.
A spokesperson for the National Memorial Arboretum said:
“The Sparks badge featured on the RAF Trade Group 11 Association Memorial has a rich history. Originally created as the Royal Air Force Wireless Operators badge in 1918, it was the first trade badge to be officially recognised by the RAF.
“When the design was updated to a fist clutching six lightning bolts – embroidered in light blue on a dark blue or black background – it became known as the Sparks badge and personnel of all ground signals and radio engineering trade groups were given the authority to wear it.”