Griff

I don't think so. At the time I was at the RAC D&M School at Bovington and the WO2 was one of my instructors. These are as issued in the regiment prior to being stitched on the beret but I agree they aren't perfect.

Gordon

Hello Gordon

This backing is proving elusive to find images of in wear, that is as a badge backing on a beret.

I have looked through the journals I have which range from 1958 to 85, admittedly with large gaps, and have images of everything but!

I have also asked around on your behalf, and one chap recalls serving along side the 14/20H in Singapore and believes he saw this backing being worn then. So I'm thinking A Sqn. c.1970 according to you ref.
Still waiting for replies though, so will keep you posted.

Rob

Hi Rob

This one is proving almost as difficult as 18th Hussars buttons!

I'm certain it was worn. The problem is which way up? Quite a few members are working on the solution so I remain very optimistic that one (or more) will come up with the answer. The most likely outcome is as posted by Mike as worn in the "desert hat".

Many thanks for your "Hawk" perusals and efforts to date.

Best wishes

Gordon

Gordon

Certainly if it was worn as a backing, then I agree its a fair assumption that it was worn as per image on 'Desert Hat'.

I'm guessing that this would be stitched into position on the Beret, and I'm just wondering how many individuals would have bothered unless it was statutory, considering it was apparently worn during the same time as the Primrose oval backing? Hence the difficulty of finding images?

Its also occurred to me that having a variety of badge backings within a regiment, whilst not unique perhaps, is a little, lets say 'untidy'. I have a suspicion it may well have been either one or the other universally in practice?

Lastly, there are quite a number of regiments that have 'Crewmen' insignia, all of which are /were worn on the sleeve, is the 14/20H the only regt. to have transferred this distinction to headdress insignia?

Rob

Hi Rob

You raise some interesting points.

I'm inclined to agree with your view that it would have been worn as per the desert hat but I have received information to the contrary from an ex
14th/20th Hussar, via another forum member. That view has been referred back and enquiries will continue with other ex-members of the regiment.

I think that both this patch and the primrose yellow oval would have been worn at the same time if only to show up a black hawk on a dark blue beret. Bear in mind these patches came into being when the hawks were painted black under regimental arrangements and had none of the gilt relief which we saw once the production was placed in the hands of the government contractors.

As to other regiments wearing distinctive qualification headdress badge backings there are probably others (which no doubt other forum members will now tell us about) I hope.

There is still more to come on this; I remain optimistic

Best wishes

Gordon

This a clue?

I find all this rather confusing!!

Info just received...it was as said a trades flash but was done away with as all had the trades required, but was reintroduced in 1985 for Instructors to mark them out to the trainees.
My head hurts......I'll get me coat!
General opinion points this way as shown!

Just to highlight... hard to tell if the Hawk is on it?

Brian

Well done, and actually confirms in a way, what I suspected they all 'had the trades required' so they could all wear it. Perhaps that's what happen, they were all wearing it, and somebody said what's the point.

I don't see a Hawk clearly in your image, despite Griff's wonderful efforts, but I think I see an oval something centre top of the flash. Could it possibly be a primrose badge backing?

Thanks for posting this as its something I've never seen.

Regards
Rob

14/20th
 

Afternoon all,

Here ya go,this example in my 14/20th collection

Regards

3748 Hussar

Tony

Thank you and very interesting, but it sort of puts the Cat amongst the Pigeons.

We are now looking at a different configuration.

So firstly, I would ask are you sure your example is correct, in the sense of, has it provenance, or have you seen this Backing in wear in this manner? or have you any photographic evidence, and secondly if correct which period does it date from 60's/70's or later?

Regards

Rob

The one being worn in the pic is defo on a square not a diamond.

14th/20th King's Hussars Beret Patch
 

Hi Brian

Many thanks for all your help; I think we may have found the answer now.
In summary we seem to have five options:
The desert hat, showing Blue to the Top and Left
The flag showing Blue to the Top and Right
The flag showing Blue to the Top and Left
The Saladin(?) commander wearing the beret showing the patch Blue to
Top and Left and
The example on a diamond, Yellow left/Blue right in Tony's collection

In addition I have found the Information Board in front of a Saladin. (I must acknowledge the help of the 14th/20th King's Hussars website NOAH's Arc and trust that this infringement is acceptable if only to settle a query relevant to the regiment and hopefully of interest to their readers as well.)

So what conclusions do I draw?

The weight of evidence seems to me to come down on the side of the desert hat, the second flag, the Saladin commander and the Information Board all of which indicate that the patch was worn (squarely) on the beret with the Blue half on Top and to the Left (as you look at it!)

To all those who have participated in this little gallop through a seemingly flippant and lack lustre aspect of badge collecting please accept my grateful thanks.

Good hunting

Gordon

Not strictly relevant but I think the image shows a Scorpion (tracks and small) not a Saladin (earlier generation, wheeled and big). Mike