What is the “Late Arrival Club”?
The original club (“Late Arrivals Club”) was created by British Servicemen around 1941 during the part of World War II known as the “Western Desert Campaign”. During this conflict many airmen were shot down, crashed, or isolated.
It’s Never Too Late…
Once isolated, These airmen were forced to “self recover”. They would need to forge their own journey home from behind enemy lines. These journeys were likely long and dangerous. Having to escape and evade capture from the enemy, the individuals that were able to walk back to friendly forces were known as “corps ‘lite” or “Late Arrivals”. They arrived back to camp significantly later than their wingmen who managed to return back in their aircraft. After more and more of the “Late Arrivals” returned sharing their experiences, the mythology surrounding there situations grew, and thus the informal club known as “The Late Arrivals Club” was formed.
The ‘Winged Boot’
To signify being a member of the club, a silver badge depicting a boot with wings extending from the side was designed in their honor by RAF Wing Commander George W. Houghton. The badges were (appropriately) sand cast in silver which were made in Cairo. Each member of the club was given their badge, and a certificate detailing what made them eligible for membership. The certificate always contained the words, ‘it is never too late to come back’ which became the club’s motto. The badges were to be worn on the left-breast of the aircrews’ flying suits. Estimates vary, but in the three-year conflict around 500 of these badges were given out to military personnel.
The Boot Used Today
Today, The winged boots are used by SERE Specialists in the United States Air Force. These airmen play a vital role in the “Personnel Recovery” community and are experts in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. They prepare others across the DoD to “Return with Honor”. The founders of our club are all apart of this community in some way and chose to honor their legacy by naming their community The “Late Arrival Club”. Its never too late…
