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#1
23-05-17, 11:11 AM
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Parachute badge for ID please
Hi there,
I was shown this badge by a friend today. Not one I've seen before, but I'm a novice collector. Can anyone please help with identification? http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=140673 Many thanks in anticipation, Kevin. 
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#2
23-05-17, 12:01 PM
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It's a parachute badge colloquially called the "lightbulb". [Those who do not serve with a parachute unit are permitted to wear the Parachute Badge without Wings]
__________________
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#4
23-05-17, 06:13 PM
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The light bulb is worn by those who have completed the parachute course without having passed selection for airborne forces. RMAS used to run the Edward Bear course which produced qualified parachutists who wore the light bulb.
Those who have served in airborne forces continue to wear wings for the rest of their army career regardless of whether they ever serve in airborne forces again. But they do lose their parachute pay. The only exceptions to the above are Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, neither of whom attempted let alone passed P Company or All Arms, did the Parachute Course at Brize and wear wings RHIP
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#5
23-05-17, 06:53 PM
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Here are some variations on the Parachute "lightbulb" badge.
Tim
__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest."
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#6
23-05-17, 08:43 PM
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Many thanks people. I think I now understand the qualification status of soldier(s) who wore this lightbulb emblem, minus wings. This one is brass, not cloth, of course. Does that relate to a particular period? And are there others, apart from the "Edward Bear" members, who were entitled?
I'm sensing that amongst you ex-servicemen, those who want to wear qualification badges which were obtained on "jollies" or because of their privileged background, rather than out of necessitity are a source of resentment. I found a photo of a soldier wearing this badge on his left sleeve. Wonder why he needed to get this qualification? He might be an Edward Bear I guess? http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=140676 Regards, Kevin. Last edited by Kevin Elliott; 23-05-17 at 08:52 PM.
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#7
23-05-17, 10:22 PM
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__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest."
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