Gurkha Engineers - 1950's
 

I'm sure I've read somewhere that when the Gurkha Engineers first became a separate Corps within the Brigade of Gurkhas - the first officers cap badges were silver and had to be privately purchased from Gerrard's and Co in London. ( Any conformation on this would be welcome ) - but really pleased to have picked this up - marked and silver and stamped with the mark of Gerrards. So hopefully an example of one of the earliest cap badges to the Corps. Tim

Gurkha engineers
 

Hi, I have this type and also a Gurkha signals added photo's sorry they are a poor quality. Both marked on the back silver G&Co LD.
Eddie

Back of badge Gurkha Engineers
 

Rear of badge.

Gurkha Eng
 

I have the following notes, which may indicate the bi-metal version is post-1965.

Stephen.

08.09.65. At the 168th Meeting of the Army Dress Committee, the Committee considered a proposal that the Gurkha Engineers change their badges from silver to silver and gilt. For OR the Committee considered they should be the same standard as at present, AA, and not of the same standard as the Officers pattern. In the case of No3 Dress any change to wear gold embroidered rank badges instead of metal was not the standard form of Dress. Decision deferred.


01.12.65. At the 169th Meeting of the ADC, the Committee heard that the proposed changes in patterns of badge for the Gurkha Engineers affected only the colour, i.e. gilt and silver instead of silver, and the OR badges would still be AA.
The Committee decided that:
British and Gurkha Commissioned Officers-
To wear the Coloured Side hat with Tropical Dress, to bring them into line with the rest of the Bde.
Their beret badge would henceforth be the same pattern as the cap badge, but flat, without Boss, and in gilt and silver instead of silver plate.
Collar badges with No1 and No3 Dress to be as the beret badge.
OR-
No1 & No3 Dress headdress to be the British OR RE pattern forage cap with Gurkha Engineers badge and buttons.
Cap badge in all orders of dress to be as for Officers pattern in gilt and silver, instead of silver AA.
Tropical Dress badges of rank for NCO and badges of appointment (RE Grenade) to be in tape instead of metal. The wearing of embroidered badges of rank and appointment with No3 Dress by OR was NOT approved.

Interesting Stephen thank you for posting - I have a boss badge that is silver so can now date it to to pre 1965. Cheers Tim

Just checked my QGE silver badge and I have the same mark - Gerrard's and Co in London.

Jerry

Tim,
I have one also and yes the OR's were silver AA.
regards
Steve