Sharpshooters Yeomanry. A new one to me.

[PeterA]

Today I attended the opening of the new Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum at Hever Castle, Kent, by HRH Princess Alexandra, the Royal Honorary Colonel.

Although many exhibits are still to be installed, I scoured the badges on display looking for any missing slots in my personal collection.

This one was a complete surprise.



I would call it 'Hammer and Tongs' and I wonder if it has anything to do with a farrier's qualification.

Totally new to me but I wonder if any on the forum have seen it before?

PeterA.

[54Bty]

As the NCOs wear an arm badge it could be possible that the Artificer was told he could only wear one badge, so demonstrating his skill combined the NCOs arm badge with his trade badge.

Marc

[tonyb]

Sweet heart badge ????
Tony.

[PeterA]

Originally Posted by tonyb

Sweet heart badge ????
Tony.

In the context of the display, I would say no.

PeterA

[peter monahan]

Hard to say for certain, but is that a pin back? That would suggest a sweetheart or some other sort of 'unofficial' badge, to my mind.

[PeterA]

I am advised that it is an artificer/fitters trade badge as worn by the LAD troops with the unit.

That is the 'Light Aid Detachment' deployed to look after vehicles in the field or home base. A function that was latterly performed by REME during my time with the regiment.

PeterA

[oc14]

The LAD is REME, that is not a new development
PL

[PeterA]

Originally Posted by oc14

The LAD is REME, that is not a new development
PL

A 1935 23rd London Armoured Car Company Staff Sgt with with RTC collars and an Artificer trade 'Hammer and Tongs' insignia...that we now associate with REME.

I believe the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was formed on the 1st October 1942.

[peter monahan]

Excellent, Peter. The photo is clincher and IDs a very inersting badge. Thanks!

[Mike Jackson]

3 CLY's LAD certainly liked showing off the "hammer and tongs" - here's part of the LAD landing on the evening of D Day
Mike
3 CLY.04.1.jpg

[oc14]

Originally Posted by peter monahan

Excellent, Peter. The photo is clincher and IDs a very inersting badge. Thanks!

No it doesn't, that's a bog standard hammer and tongs

PL

[oc14]

Originally Posted by PeterA

A 1935 23rd London Armoured Car Company Staff Sgt with with RTC collars and an Artificer trade 'Hammer and Tongs' insignia...that we now associate with REME.

I believe the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was formed on the 1st October 1942.

Yes I accept that, however, in your original post I assumed that it was your assertion that the LAD had until recently been a regimental rather than REME function. Clearly it could not have been a REME function prior to 1942 as REME didn't exist to provide that service.
PL

[Keith Blakeman]

Originally Posted by PeterA

In the context of the display, I would say no.

PeterA

Would I be right in saying that the bottom scroll of that artificer is from a butchered Cock Troop sleeve badge ? If that's the case no wonder the latter are so rare.

[PeterA]

Originally Posted by Keith Blakeman

Would I be right in saying that the bottom scroll of that artificer is from a butchered Cock Troop sleeve badge ? If that's the case no wonder the latter are so rare.

Keith,

I will get it checked out. Yes that scroll looks to be the same or very similar to the Cock Troop badge.

PeterA

[REMEVMBEA1]

The Hammer and Tongs was in use long before REME was formed and was simply an artisans' badge. LADs were in most cases just the unit tradesmen re-badged during phase 2 of the formation of REME which didn't happen until 1950.

Taken from Craftsmen of The Army, the history of REME.