RAOC true or false?

[tonyb]

I heard a ditty from a former RA Bombardier about the RAOC cap badge,I thought I'd share with the Forum for comment.
'Do you know why the RAOC cannon balls are bigger than the guns? Thats because they supplied the wrong size ammo to the RA in an engagment'
Sniff, I'm pretty sure this is an old soldiers tale, this may have happened on some occasions? But its hardly something to imortalise in the Corps insignia?
Any thoughts?
Maybe there are other such stories anyone can post?
Regards Tony.

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by tonyb

I heard a ditty from a former RA Bombardier about the RAOC cap badge,I thought I'd share with the Forum for comment.
'Do you know why the RAOC cannon balls are bigger than the guns? Thats because they supplied the wrong size ammo to the RA in an engagment'
Sniff, I'm pretty sure this is an old soldiers tale, this may have happened on some occasions? But its hardly something to imortalise in the Corps insignia?
Any thoughts?
Maybe there are other such stories anyone can post?
Regards Tony.

Tony,
I think this one may be correct!

Andy

[tonyb]

Andy,
thanks for swift reponse, any idea of when and where?
Best Regards Tony.

[blackpowder44]

Originally Posted by tonyb

Andy,
thanks for swift reponse, any idea of when and where?
Best Regards Tony.

I was told that it occured in the Crimea war, I was also told that the tale was a load of b******s. Take your choice, John.

[54Bty]

Heraldry balls;

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.co...RDNANCE/01.htm

[Artynut]

Now that, Gentlemen , is the definitive answer! Thanks Marc, Great stuff!

[Alex Rice]

Any ideas why the arms had two cyclopses (cyclopsii - what's the plural of cyclops?)
Cheers,
Alex

[Fatherofthree]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Any ideas why the arms had two cyclopses (cyclopsii - what's the plural of cyclops?)
Cheers,
Alex

How about Bicyclops.......but only if there's 2 of them.

Regards
Brian

[Fatherofthree]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Any ideas why the arms had two cyclopses (cyclopsii - what's the plural of cyclops?)
Cheers,
Alex

Hi again Alex.

Serious head this time.

I think the plural is actually Cyclopes.

Regards
Brian

[jackb]

The reason the cannon balls on the Cap badge of the RAOC are larger than the calibre of the cannon is quite simple, to represent the balls in true calibre to the cannons would reduce them to extremely small dots, it was therefore decided to increase the size and accept that they would be out of proportion. Historically the corps issued cannon and cannon balls of varied calibre, the corp motto 'to the thunderer his arms' and the the badge therefore correctly reflects this. Old soldiers tales abound with takes of troops being supplied with all left boots, wrong ammunition, and skis to Africa most of which are false or at best based on minor logistic errors of little consequence. Hope this helps

[Mike_2817]

As the auther of the linked page at post 5 I can tell you I also did a page on the Cannon Balls as well!

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.co...DNANCE/01a.htm

[tonyb]

Mike thanks for link.
Cheers Tony.

[CftD]

Originally Posted by jackb

The reason the cannon balls on the Cap badge of the RAOC are larger than the calibre of the cannon is quite simple, to represent the balls in true calibre to the cannons would reduce them to extremely small dots, it was therefore decided to increase the size and accept that they would be out of proportion. Historically the corps issued cannon and cannon balls of varied calibre, the corp motto 'to the thunderer his arms' and the the badge therefore correctly reflects this. Old soldiers tales abound with takes of troops being supplied with all left boots, wrong ammunition, and skis to Africa most of which are false or at best based on minor logistic errors of little consequence. Hope this helps

I suggest that if I had been supplied with 'skis in Africa' it might amount to rather more than a 'minor logistic error of little consequence' - especially if I were expecting something more consequential. David

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by CftD

I suggest that if I had been supplied with 'skis in Africa' it might amount to rather more than a 'minor logistic error of little consequence' - especially if I were expecting something more consequential. David

Now then, It is a fact that 'Snow Shoes' were issued for desert use in very soft sand! and I am reliably informed that dry un-waxed skis would have the same effect... (and no its not April the 1st)

In the 60's onwards Snow Cats were used for driving over snow but were in fact designed for swampy/marshy ground and are also amphibious..

- not a lot of people know that..

[grey_green_acorn]

Mike_2817,
The links to your site seem no longer to work. Can you post a new link please?

Tim