RAAF eagle and crown badge : Flight Lieutenant E L Bayly, RAAF

Oxidised brass RAAF badge with King's crown and eagle. There are two bent prongs on the reverse.

Associated with the service of 403548 Edward Lang Bayly, born 12 December 1913 in Wellington, NSW. Prior to the Second World War Bayly served in the Militia (home defence force) as a private with the 54th Battalion. Aged 27 he enlisted in the RAAF on 3 February 1941. After several months training in Australia he embarked for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on 13 November. He was discharged from the RCAF on 24 May 1942 upon being granted a commission with the RAAF and the rank of pilot officer. He served with 259 Squadron, Royal Air Force from February 1943 to early 1944. The squadron was based in east Africa and conducted anti-submarine patrols over the Indian Ocean in Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats. Bayly served as a navigator with 42 Squadron, RAAF from August 1945 to November. Based in the Pacific, the squadron operated Catalina flying boats on mine-laying missions and assisted in the repatriation of prisoners of war at the end of hostilities. Bayly later served with 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight until March 1946. He was discharged on 24 April with the rank of temporary flight lieutenant.