Honourable Artillery Company beret badges

[3dg]

Hello
I'm a bit confused about the various HAC beret badges and when they were worn.
Could someone possible give me a Time line as it were from the blue beret and beret gun badge to the infantry beret with the Arms badge. And for both officers and OR's please.
I know it's a big ask but I've seen red backings officers and OR's black backings gun badges, grenade badges and coat of arms badge, all a bit confusing!
Thanks for your time again.
Cheers
3dg :-)

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by 3dg

Hello
I'm a bit confused about the various HAC beret badges and when they were worn.
Could someone possible give me a Time line as it were from the blue beret and beret gun badge to the infantry beret with the Arms badge. And for both officers and OR's please.
I know it's a big ask but I've seen red backings officers and OR's black backings gun badges, grenade badges and coat of arms badge, all a bit confusing!
Thanks for your time again.
Cheers
3dg :-)

3dg,

I am not able at this stage to provide you with dates, but can offer a little info with regard to the infantry beret and related badges:



This khaki infantry beret is worn by all ranks of the regiment with combat dress; rank is differentiated by cap badges. The embroidered badge of the HAC crest is worn by officers and warrant officers, whilst all other ranks wear the HAC crest in silver metal. Additionally, the members of the Corps of Drums, wear a silver grenade on their berets.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of HAC headdresses will be able to give you a better, more comprehensive answer.

Regards,

JT

[Jelly Terror]

Artillery officer's side cap - circa 1970s.

Forum member 'johnG', is possibly your best man for this query.

Regards,

JT

[3dg]

Great pics, and thank you for the info so far, greatly appreciated, and its 'crest' not coat of arms, my apologies for that.

[grenadierguardsman]

Yes really good pics.
Andy

[Colin S]

The following was true in the 1980/1990s and I think still apply today.

Khaki berets - officers wear embroidered 'short arms' on black backing (as shown above). Other ranks wear same badge in silver coloured metal on black circular badge backing.

HAC Band/Corps of Drums wear a silver flaming grenade on their khaki berets on a square of Household Division badge backing.

No.1 Dress peaked caps - metal flaming grenade when marching as Infantry or gold metal HAC gun badge if part of gun detachment.The grenade badges differ with rank - ORs wearing plain silver, while warrant officers have the 'HAC' in gold on their silver metal grenades and officers wear a bullion embroidered flaming grenade badge.

Officer's side hat - embroidered 'short arms' on red backing, as shown above.

I believe that the short arms were adopted as a beret badge in 1973, when the HAC Artillery and Infantry units were amalgamated and re-roled as a Corps Patrol Unit (stay behind OPs) and adopted cavalry terms - "trooper", "sabre squadron" etc. The blue beret was replaced by the khaki beret then.