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  #1  
Old 01-04-16, 01:08 PM
4966Ian 4966Ian is offline
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Default 94th (Berks Yeo) Royal Signals

Hi folks,

With my interest in the Berkshire Yeomanry, I have over the years managed to acquire the following four Officer's bullions cap/beret badges to the Royal Corps of Signals 94th (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron.

Having checked, Chris Walker's excellent website:
http://www.signalsbadges.co.uk/

I have taken the dates of usage shown below from Chris's site. However, there is a niggle in the back of my mind that badge 1 - is a lot older than 2008. In my notes I had this pattern of badge being in use circa 1967-1980s. Though unfortunately, I didn't record the source of that info.

1. 36mm W x 49mm H (2008 pattern)
2. 43mm W x 59mm H (1985 pattern)
3. 33mm W x 57mm H (1967 pattern)
4. 34mm W x 47mm H (has the same design as the 1967 pattern - maybe a smaller beret badge?)

Always happy to accept that have I got the dates wrong. I just want to get them correctly identified.

Also, is anyone aware of a pattern of badge not shown below? (If you could post a photo that would be much appreciated - Thanks)

I am looking the OR's embroidered version, should anyone have one for sale!

Many thanks for any help.

Cheers

Ian
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Royal Signals 95th Berks Yeo02.jpg (50.2 KB, 73 views)
File Type: jpg Royal Signals 95th Berks Yeo BK.jpg (32.7 KB, 18 views)
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  #2  
Old 01-04-16, 02:51 PM
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Alan O Alan O is offline
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If I may correct the red globe version was instituted by Brig Ted Flint then SOinC in 2008. He wanted to standardise the badges across the Corps and to do that changed the design so that every officer had to buy a new one at £10 a time. I think you have transposed the dates with the badges as it's the second one shown but the first described.
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  #3  
Old 01-04-16, 03:15 PM
Chris Walker Chris Walker is offline
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Default 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron

Dear Ian.

Delighted to see the Bullion Badges you have posted for 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V). I had not seen badge number 4 before.

Can I just change some of the dates that you have on the Thread which are very slightly out of order.

As per your numbered photo they should read

1. 1967 Version

2. 2008 Version currently being used on by Officer's on their Beret

3. 1985 Version

4. I believe this is a small version of the 1985 version Beret Badge.

Now for the bad news Ian. I have attached to this Thread what I had believed to be an Other Ranks Beret Badge Blue Backed for Other Ranks of 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V) dating from the early 1970's as this is so similar to the OR's Beret Badges being worn at the time by 70 Essex Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V) Other ranks Red Backed and also by 68 Inns of Court and City Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V) Other Ranks Green Backed.

Over several years I had tried to get proof of this. In January 2015 I received a reply to the several letters I had sent to 94 Berkshire Signal Squadron from their unit historian Mr Andrew French advising me that the Other Ranks of the Squadron had never worn a cloth backed badge at all.

I have also had correspondence from my guru Cliff Lord of actual letters written by the OC 70 Essex Yeomanry back in the early seventies who was the originator of the Other Ranks cloth beret badges that it was only 70 Essex Yeomanry and 68 Inns of Court and City Yeomanry of 71st Signal Regiment I think it was that wore the cloth backed badges and that 98 Berkshire Yeomanry were never part of this exercise.

This upset me as I was by this time in possession of as I have said above a 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron cloth beret badge and I show this badge below.

Going one step further Ian there is a photo in the excellent booklet put together by a Forum member namely Bill Thomas in the pamphlet called Cloth Beret & Cap Badges of the British Army and photograph 18 in this pamphlet shows a blue backed Royal Signals cloth badge but the caption just says Royal Signals. I have indeed spoken to Bill and all he can remember is received a photo of this badge from where he can not remember when he was putting this little pamphlet together. Shame. During a discussion we are both of the unconfirmed opinion that the Beret Badge is that of perhaps a Cadet Unit but can go no further than that.

If you can shine and further light on this little story Ian I would love to hear about it but as things stand there is no proof whatsoever that 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V) Other Ranks ever wore a blue cloth backed beret badge only blue cloth behind a metal Jimmy as they do today.

Hope I have not gone on too long Ian but hope my little explanation helps.

With my very best wishes

Chris Walker
www.signalsbadges.co.uk
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File Type: jpg 94 Berks. Yeomanry Sig Sqn OR-s cloth beret badge.jpg (50.3 KB, 34 views)
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  #4  
Old 02-04-16, 12:36 PM
4966Ian 4966Ian is offline
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Hi Alan and Chris,

Many thanks for advising of the correct dates and giving some interesting and useful background info to the changes, which is much appreciated.

I have attached a revised photo, which shows the correct order of use and dates.

Chris - I am sure I have seen a cloth embroidered ORs version, but can't remember where it was it was now. It has been on my wants list for a long time, so if I ever manage to acquire one, I will let you know.

If anybody else, has a version not shown below, I would love to see a photo of it.

Ian
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File Type: jpg 94th R Signals Bersk Yeo Offs Bullion03.jpg (45.8 KB, 30 views)
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  #5  
Old 04-04-16, 07:12 AM
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Expat Yeoman Expat Yeoman is online now
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Chris, did the Sqn wear badge #1 that early on? The equivalent Essex Yeo version I would date to 1976 when the design was approved by The Corps Dress Committee (it didn't make onto a hat until circa 1978 though). Prior to that the Sqn wore the standard corps pattern. I wonder if that is the same for 94 Sqn too since their approval I would have thought would have been as part of the Regimental submission.

Regards

Michael
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  #6  
Old 04-04-16, 02:15 PM
Chris Walker Chris Walker is offline
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Default 94 Berkshire Yeomanry Signal Squadron (V)

Dear Michael and Ian and Alan

At times I am too quick in looking at what I have written and not what I should have written.

You are quite correct Michael I have indeed transposed the figure for the introduction of the Officer's Beret Badge of 1967 and indeed it should have been 1976 under Corps Memorandum No 7 of 1976 when the unofficial wearing of some Signals units was ratified to wear these embellishments.

Not all units wore these embellishments straight away and either the normal Yeomanry badge was worn or the Royal Signals "Jimmy" badge.

In the case of 94 Berkshire Yeomanry they became part of the 1967 Territorial Army changes and became A. (BY) Company, Royal Berkshire Territorials TAVR III. In 1969 they became 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signals Squadron. In 1994 this title changed slightly to 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron (Volunteers).

I hope this slight error has now cleared up the reason for the incorrect date. My web site will be changed accordingly as and when I can get my son to come and visit and change it for me.

With my kind regards and thanks

Chris Walker
www.signalsbadges.co.uk
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  #7  
Old 04-04-16, 09:23 PM
4966Ian 4966Ian is offline
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Hi folks,

Many thanks for your thoughts and all the info on this.

I have also been liaising with a friend who is ex-Berkshire Yeomanry and he has also been checking with the museum, the curator of which was serving with the Berkshire Yeomanry during these times.

As I undestand it, this is what happened

01/05/1961 – Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons formed. (Disbanded 01/04/1967)

01/04/1967 – Royal Berkshire Territorials TAVR III were formed.
- A Company (Berkshire Yeomanry) at Windsor, successor to The Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons RAC.
[An amalgamation of the remnants of the 4/6th bn. Royal Berks and the Berkshire Yeomanry and others based at Windsor Reading and Newbury].
The decision was made that they would wear Royal Berkshire brass shoulder titles , buttons and collar dogs with the Aldershot District cloth shoulder flashes.
The cap badge was to be the Berkshire Yeomanry white horse with a red plastic oval** Royal Berkshire Regt brandywine flash as a background. Headdress was a dark blue beret.


01/04/1969 – A Company converted as 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron (V).


1970 - 1980s : Other ranks wore Royal Signals anodised badge (no backing)
1970 - 1980s : Officers wore the 'standard' Royal Signals Bullion badge with navy blue backing the same colour as the beret so there is no actual colour as it blends with the beret.

Circa early 1980’s (we believe it was 1982) – Officers starting wearing the 'light' blue background to their Royal Signals cap badges. Whilst the Other Ranks didn’t start having a light blue felt backing** to their anodised Royal Signals cap badge until circa 1985 and onwards.

Apparently, the use of the Blue background came about at the request of the Commanding Officer who requested something for the Squadron. The Inns of Court Sqn had green backings and the Essex Yeomanry - Red backing. Of the Berkshire Yeomanry stable belt colours (Blue/Red/Yellow) this only left blue or yellow, which could be used as a backing colour. Not surprisingly they chose Blue.

N.B.
** - Both the Red plastic flash and the blue felt backing mentioned above are in the shape of the oval and this was cut from the stencil of the top of the pick-helve.


Hope that clarifies things.

Ian

Last edited by 4966Ian; 04-04-16 at 10:54 PM. Reason: Added more details
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  #8  
Old 05-04-16, 08:29 AM
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matti467 matti467 is offline
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On an off shoot of this conversation i was pleased to read that a standard officers beret badge came into existence.
I served in the ranks of the Royal Signals but later dated my old (female) troop officer. I often used to iron and sort her kit and one of my bug bears was the shape, size and poor threading of 'JImmy'.
As an OR our anodised badges portrayed/depicted him elegantly. The officers beret badge and some blazer badges make him look like a messenger for humpalumpas rather than the Gods.
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  #9  
Old 14-08-17, 07:58 AM
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engr9266 engr9266 is offline
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Can you confirm or not if 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron ever wore their Yeomanry badge in ANODISED version at any time while as Royal Signals please??
Jerry
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  #10  
Old 14-08-17, 09:02 AM
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Alan O Alan O is offline
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They have only ever worn the RSignals badge since conversion to the signals role.

The Berks Yeo anodised badge was worn prior to their conversion.

This is shown in their regtl history book which was produced in the early 2000s. I used to have a copy but cannot find it now.

Alan
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  #11  
Old 14-08-17, 09:24 AM
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By coincidence, last night I came across some online photos of the R Signals badge being worn on the Royal Regiments red piped & banded forage cap.
I worked out a Berks Yeomanry link from the star & crescent collar badges worn, but was unaware of the more recent amalgamations & unit titles, so a press on the thank you button for the above info.
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  #12  
Old 14-08-17, 09:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan O View Post
They have only ever worn the RSignals badge since conversion to the signals role.

The Berks Yeo anodised badge was worn prior to their conversion.

This is shown in their regtl history book which was produced in the early 2000s. I used to have a copy but cannot find it now.

Alan
Thank you Alan, that has cleared up a question I had.
Jerry
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