The boat badge of HMS 'Hermes' 1919. An official pattern approved on 20 February 1923. On a blue field, the head of hermes in a winged helmet, all gold. The badge is diamond-shaped with a gold rope twist border representing an auxiliary. It is made of cast brass, painted and drilled at the corners. 'HERMES' is inscribed on the reverse. HMS 'Hermes' was the first ship specifically built as an aircraft carrier. She was built by Armstrong-Whitworth and launched in 1919. After briefly serving with the Atlantic fleet, she was redeployed to the Mediterranean and the China Station where she helped to suppress piracy. After the outbreak of the Second World War and a brief spell in the Home Fleet she was transferred to Dakar to take part in joint operations with the French Navy. After the establishment of Vichy France she took part in an attack on the French battleship 'Richelieu'. She was then deployed to the Indian Ocean were she supported Commonwealth forces during the East African Campaign and Anglo-Iraq War. She was sunk by Japanese aircraft on 9th April 1942 off Ceylon, with a loss of 307 men including Captain Richard Onslow.