RAF No 540 photo reconnaissance squadron Royal Air Force badge.

A very scarce original King George VI period 'RAF No 540 Squadron gilt and enamel badge', the centre bearing a mosquito with Latin motto "Sine qua non" (Indispensable), the reverse with maker's details "H.W.Miller Ltd B'Ham.18". Very good condition, retainig original pin fittings, enamel perfect, gilt remains bright.
Height 33mm.

RAF No 540 (Photoreconnaissance) Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on the 19th October 1942 from eliements of no.1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit. Operating the fast De Havilland Mosquito twin engined aircraft it undertook missions over Norway Germany and occupied Europe and with a Flight based at RAF Gibraltar covered the south of France and Algeria. Following D-Day the Squadron moved to France and contined PR operations. Following the end of the war the Squadron was disbanded at RAF Benson Oxfordshire on the 30th September 1946. It was reformed on the 1st December 1947, for the same role and again with mosquito aircraft, in 1950 it converted to the English Electric Canberra jet aircraft. The Squadron was disbanded for a final time on the 31st March 1956.