Caterpillar badge
Gold silkworm caterpillar badge with red gem eyes. The badge is fitted with a brooch pin and has the recipient's details: F/O EPT Simpson engraved on the reverse. Simpson bailed out 6 December 1943 on a night training run.
The Caterpillar Club was first formed in 1922 by the Irvin Air Chute Company.It is an informal association of people who have successfully used a silkworm produced parachute to jump from a disabled aircraft. The red eyes in the caterpillar indicate a night jump. On application, the parachute maker confirms the parachute and the badge and an accompanying certificate are received by the successful applicant.
- Series:
- Badge
- Accession Number:
- WWII/073/001
- Date:
- 1922-
- Dimensions:
- 20mm length x 3mm width
- Medium:
- gold coloured metal
- Designer/Manufacturer:
- Irvin Air Chute Company
- Provenance:
- Edwin Philip Telford Simpson (TKS 1938-42)
- Links:
- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1163351
- The King's School Magazine May 1944 p20 is Simpson's account of how he became eligible for the caterpillar badge