Beret Badge!

Hi Folks

I picked this up this morning, but please forgive my ignorance - Sapper or Gunner?

I'm assuming that it has been worn as a beret badge. What is the significance of the red backing?

Many thanks

James

[Alan O]

It's a RA collar badge which mid war was worn in the GS cap by some units as a cap badge. The beret post 1947 had the bespoke gun beret badge.

OK Thanks Alan. That's very helpful.

[Alan O]

RE collars had 2 more flames beneath the 7.

[leigh kitchen]

Were the RA's OR's FSC badges worn on a red backing? Officer's badges FSC badges were authorised to be worn in Gilt metal instead of bullion wire during WWII, & I have an officet's FSC with gilt badge on red felt backing)that suspicious of re. originality).
Would a red backed ORs badge be worn on FSV, GSC?

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Were the RA's OR's FSC badges worn on a red backing?

Sometimes. There's probably an example here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/region...7629480797400/

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Officer's badges FSC badges were authorised to be worn in Gilt metal instead of bullion wire during WWII

I'd love to see that authorisation. Colored FSC bullion badges were worn unofficially on other headdress.

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Would a red backed ORs badge be worn on FSV, GSC?

see first answer.

All I'm aware of is that officers wore OSD bronze collar grenades, bullion grenades, or unofficial OR sized gilt grenades with silver scroll. Either with or without red outline backing or red/blue backing.

I believe the all gilt grenades are post-War tropical uniform collar badges.

Post a pic.

Rgds, Thomas.

[fougasse1940]

Apart from the various gun badges, I believe these three are your options for WWII RA officers cap badges.

Rgds, Thomas.

[leigh kitchen]

Thank you, the badge on my FSC is similar to one you show on the left.
I'll dig the cap out & post photos, I've always suspected that the metal badge was simply put on it to replace a bullion version removed by a collector.
I now have to work out where I've read of the metal badge being permitted in lieu of the bullion during WWII.

The only photo to hand re. the metal badged RA officer's FSC I have.
The badge, which is about 38mm tall & it's backing are in pristine condition, once applied the badge appears never to have been removed, it fits very tightly through the holes in the cloth.
There is no indication of another metal or cloth badge having been worn.
As far as I can make out, the badge has a curved JR GAUNT LONDON mark with upward curving ends stamped near the bottom of the reverse.

Originally Posted by Alan O

RE collars had 2 more flames beneath the 7.

Thanks Alan, I keep learning. Just need to remember what I have learned

J

Just in case anyone wants this badge I have posted it on the for sale table.

Thanks for all of the comments. Very interesting and informative.

James

[Mike B]

Norman Litchfield told me many years ago the Gilt/Silver type badge was put in officer headdress (Khaki FS Cap and Red Topped Side Cap) by Herbert Johnson, hattiers, on passing out from Officer Cadet Training Units.
I hope this is helpful
Mike
PS - The one Norman sold me still has its red backing

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I've always suspected that the metal badge was simply put on it to replace a bullion version removed by a collector.

I remember having seen these oloured FSC's with this metal badge before.

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I now have to work out where I've read of the metal badge being permitted in lieu of the bullion during WWII.

By all means do, but remember these coloured FSC's were worn unofficially, with either bullion or metal badges, both also worn unofficially, on this or any otheer headdress.

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

As far as I can make out, the badge has a curved JR GAUNT LONDON mark with upward curving ends stamped near the bottom of the reverse.

Mine are maker marked LUDLOW / LONDON. There are also nine flamed RE versions, worn on a black or dark blue outline backing.

Rgds, Thomas.