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  #1  
Old 26-10-17, 08:52 AM
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Default Letter Trade Badges - What do they mean?

Hi All,

I've got my hands on a bag of badges recently, one of which was the A in a wreath as per the attached photo.

I know it is a trade badge and I know there is a series of them with different letters but is there a list anywhere of what they all are - as in what would you have to do to qualify to wear an A trade badge or the B trade and so on?

What classes as an A trade?

Thanks a lot,

Michael
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  #2  
Old 26-10-17, 09:37 AM
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The criteria varied through time (let grumpy give a proper reply).
Regular army in 1963..........
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Old 26-10-17, 09:51 AM
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Michael,
They basically mean you have passed advanced courses in your trade.
Paul
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Old 26-10-17, 10:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiny View Post
Hi All,

I've got my hands on a bag of badges recently, one of which was the A in a wreath as per the attached photo.

I know it is a trade badge and I know there is a series of them with different letters but is there a list anywhere of what they all are - as in what would you have to do to qualify to wear an A trade badge or the B trade and so on?

What classes as an A trade?

Thanks a lot,

Michael
"A" CLASS TRADESMAN/TRADESWOMEN
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Old 26-10-17, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leigh kitchen View Post
The criteria varied through time (let grumpy give a proper reply).
Regular army in 1963..........
Leigh, I believe that your listing is just a alphabetical list of Army trades at the time.
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Old 26-10-17, 10:28 AM
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Yes, I didn't make it clear - images weren't posted to detail the criteria re. the badges, merely to list trades as at 1963.
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Old 26-10-17, 10:57 AM
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Michael,
They basically mean you have passed advanced courses in your trade.
Paul
Thanks a lot for the help everyone, so presumably the B and C ones were not quite as advanced in your trade?

As regimental signallers we used to wear the crossed flags on the right wrist for class 2, once you passed the class 1 course you moved them to the left wrist then once you passed the RSI course they went above your rank badge. Does that mean in theory you could have worn a C badge as well as the flags for class 2, B for the class 1 and A for the RSI? I'm not saying they would but I'm trying to get my head around how they could be used.

Michael
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Old 26-10-17, 11:12 AM
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Quote:
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The criteria varied through time (let grumpy give a proper reply).
Regular army in 1963..........
I was pleased to see amongst the trades that tempted one into the Regular Army in the early 1960s: Interrogator (Int Corps), Special Treatment Assistant (RAMC) and a Saw Doctor (RE _ not to be confused with Sore Doctor). Mike
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Old 26-10-17, 11:13 AM
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If my Memory serves me correct (1969 - 1993) you could only wear 1(one) trade badge along with any Para wings, Commando etc badges.
During my time as a Sapper I qualified as a "B" trade and onto a "A" trade but I did NOT wear any trade badges.
Jerry.
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  #10  
Old 26-10-17, 11:39 AM
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Brian Leigh Davis's book "British Army Uniforms and Insignia of WWII" lists the various trades & their "A", "B" etc classifications at that time.
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Old 26-10-17, 11:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by engr9266 View Post
If my Memory serves me correct (1969 - 1993) you could only wear 1(one) trade badge along with any Para wings, Commando etc badges.
During my time as a Sapper I qualified as a "B" trade and onto a "A" trade but I did NOT wear any trade badges.
Jerry.
Me neither Jerry,
I got some nice certificates though!! and a pay rise
The trade badges were wore mainly by Corps whereas the Infantry went up to Class 1 soldier, A bayonet(s) would indicate those qualifications.
Paul
Michael, I only ever saw A and B trade badges worn in the mid 80's like many Formation signs around that time they seemed to cease being used, A was the higher qualification and they would generally run with rank, in my Corps you would have to pass Military Proficiency and Trade qualifications to be eligible for promotion.

I will add that in some trades these ran with civilian City in Guilds qualifications now NVQ I believe.

Last edited by Paul Spellman; 26-10-17 at 11:54 AM.
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  #12  
Old 26-10-17, 08:38 PM
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The principal of the trade badges in question was that the employments with the most demanding skills were A, and so forth down to D. From memory, it was not usual to progress up through the letters whilst doing one trade: a riveter's assistant [I made that up] would need to learn a new trade to get to a higher letter and more trade pay.
Another aspect is that these badges were used when there was not a recognised/ recognisable traditional emblem.
Lastly, as signalling was mentioned, not only did it have its unique badge, but [somewhat oddly] it was classified with the skill-at-arms badges and so worn on the left lower sleeve. There is always a "however".
However, a signalling instructor wore the flags above rank on right hand side.
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Old 26-10-17, 08:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leigh kitchen View Post
The criteria varied through time (let grumpy give a proper reply).
Regular army in 1963..........
Leigh, was there not a reading and writing one for the Para's ?????
Andy
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  #14  
Old 26-10-17, 08:52 PM
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You mean reading OR writing?
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Old 26-10-17, 08:52 PM
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I was an 'A' tradesman.
I initially trained as a Data Telegraphist, B trade.
I then did the radio side and thus gained my A trade.
I also did the Tele Mech course but didn't qualify for a T trade and prefered to be a A3 RTG as it had more kudos than being a 'failed' tech.
87 Sqdn/38 Sigs Regt were not that keen on us wearing trade badges.
However, my mate Pete was RAMC and the 'Doc' told him to wear his trade badges as he came under RAMC not R Sigs.
There was a badge for Para reading and writing but, apparently it was never achieved...
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