RHA or HAC: 6th Armoured Division Combo
 

This thread has not attracted much attention on the formation signs forum, maybe I'll be luckier here? Please check at:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=23052

Many thanks in advance!

I cannot comment on the formation sign itself, but perhaps what I have to say might have some bearing on the question.

I knew of the 1st Regt. H.A.c. when, if memory serves me right, they were

1st Regt HAC (IIth Regt RHA)

To my mind that makes them HAC, and that is the correct shoulder title, BUT
just a few years ago on Waterloo Station, London I saw a chap wearing an HAC necktie and commented on it, only for him to abruptly tell me he was 'The 11th'



This leads me to think that although HAC would be the correct shoulder title here, there were individuals who were so proud of their RHA connection (and why not), that as a matter of preference they put up RHA instead of HAC.

Now having slung a grenade into the mix I will put on my tin foil hat and retire to a safe distance.

Edited to add: How about an RHA man attached to HAC - just to keep their minds off the joys of the Sutling Room back home, and being of the same group would have worn the same formation sign, but s/t's of his own regiment.

johnG

As the HAC is in this case a supplementary title within the Regiments designation I would expect to see RHA shoulder titles being worn, as that is what they were, a Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery.

Marc :)

By that reckoning Marc, then would you say that regiments like, say the Royal North Devon Yeomanry, and others, who were designated RHA in 1939 should have worn RHA insignia instead of keeping that of their own regiment as they did.

It all depends on what they requested to wear, also the CO had a say in what was worn. Most converted Regiments asked and were granted permission to wear thier previous badges. There was one Regiment that chopped and changed between their own cloth designation and the brass RA titles depening on the CO being promoted from them or from a Gunner Regiment.

Before the 12th Regt RHA (HAC) (TA) was formed (from 11th Regt RHA (HAC) (TA)) all the Batteries worn thier own brass lettered titles, as was the HAC custom.

(D, E, & F Bty missing)

Marc :)

Thanks Marc, that rather dates me....I recall a painted sign outside their regimental office at Armoury House which described the 11th as HAC (RHA), but it was many years ago and perhaps memory plays me false. Thanks for putting the record straight.

Regards,

johnG

The Regiments title in my post is the official title until disbanded in 1945, but, as both the RHA and HAC do as they please anything is possible.

Marc :)

[QUOTE=54Bty;157277].............. as both the RHA and HAC do as they please anything is possible.

Ah yes, that explains it all. I know just what you mean.

Kind regards

John

a most interesting discussion has arisen form the original input, thank you so much for your knowledge, gentlemen!

Hi, while I was photographing came across this so I thought I'd add it to this thread, Mike

To further muddy the waters, I attach a couple of 6th Armd HAC combinations which seem to prove that their titles were worn. The blue underneath the HAC is believed to be a Battery marking but even the HAC have no information on which battery wore which colour.

Postwarden

13 RHA (HAC) 11th Armoured Div
 

Not sure sure what they wore in 6th Armoured Div, possibly a mixture of both. The BD below is badged to 13th RHA (HAC), part of 11th Armoured Division, I suppose they couldn't decide which to wear :D
Lee

Good Drills! It must have confused the Hell out of Germany's intelligence!

Hi Jon, the blue backing was D Bty HAC, red was C Bty as in fearnought's post, and F Bty was green. A slip-on with 6 Armd Div FS, RA AoS strip, and HAC on green background was just on ebay.

RHQ was red and blue. The CO at one stage was RHA, perhaps Regular personnel wore RHA if they came from that background. I do have a HAC title on red slip-on strip but this might be post-war.

Keith