Foreign/Empire serving in RAF uniform question

Hello All.
Something that has intrigued me for a while.

The guys that served in/with the RAF and fought during the Battle of Britain, were the Empire/Dominion ones actually part of the RAF with e.g. "Australia" or "New Zealand" flashes, or were they part of RAAF, RNZAF, SAAF etc and 'leased' to Britain?

Thanks.

(Yes recently watched Battle of Britain (1969) - great film!

 

Both.

All versions were present.

RAAF had a squadron of Sunderland training in the UK prior to declaration of war - the decision by RAAF HQ was to allow them to remain and become part of Coastal Command establishment but all equipment and personnel orginally RAAF were retained by RAAF. (No.10 Squadron RAAF)

In a similar vein in Feb 1940 the RCAF sent No.110 Squadron RCAF lock stock and barrel over to the UK to serve alongside RAF units.

As part of various training scheme Empire/Dominion officers were also given RAF commissions while training in the UK so technically were on the strength of two forces.

Ross

 

Thank you for the information.