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  #1  
Old 23-05-16, 11:31 AM
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Default Types of Drivers Badges

Please can anyone explain the difference between all the different badges worn by Drivers on BD? Is it to do with the "Class" of tradesman you are A,B or C or the types of vehicle you drove?

Rob
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  #2  
Old 23-05-16, 02:36 PM
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STAR. 1923, First Class driver Tank Corps, became Driver Mechanic RTC NCOs, became in "modern times" 1950 Driver. An appointment badge

Wheel 1927, probably also during Great War, Driver. A skill badge, became a Prize badge, survived to and through WW II.

Wheel and star, wheel and crown ....... Prize badges between wars, survived, not necessarily as Prize, through to 1950.

The winged wheel MT does not seem to have a pedigree [as with so many other badges that were certainly worn over a very long period]

Last edited by grumpy; 23-05-16 at 02:39 PM. Reason: addenda
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  #3  
Old 23-05-16, 03:03 PM
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Rob,

As Grumpy states, Edwards and Langly describe the wheel and crown and wheel and star badges thus, but attached is another explanation which I tend to think maybe only applied in their final years of use during WW2.

regards
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  #4  
Old 23-05-16, 03:20 PM
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Yes, I was only quoting from the book that I wrote with Denis.
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Old 23-05-16, 03:36 PM
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David,
I was not aware you were who you are.
Your book has been on my bookshelve since 1984 and there hasnt been a week that I have not consulted it.
It was Denis who first got me into collecting the badges that are in it!.

A most superb book and a you have my respect.

Getting back to the drivers badges what do you think of the descriptions in the pamphlet I showed?

regards
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Old 23-05-16, 04:23 PM
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At the risk of muddying the already clouded waters of these drivers badges members might like to see the attached.

It is one of three sample boards sold at Bosley's some twenty years ago which were specimens of badges worn by the Free Dutch Forces in Britain. With the help of Dutch experts a member of the Military Heraldry Society has identified the badges shown and the explanations of the numbers relating to driving badges are shown below;
73 - Driver Instructor Qualification Badge. Instituted by M.O. of 1 March 1944. Worn on the left lower sleeve.
74 - Driver Engineer Qualification Badge. Worn on the left lower sleeve.
75 - Driver Qualification Badge. Instituted by M.O. No.2 of 25 April 1941. Cancelled by M.O. No.203.795 of 20 February 1955. Worn by Drivers and Despatch Riders on the left lower sleeve, 16cm from the lower seam to the centre of the wheel. Also worn by V.H.K. women drivers on the left sleeve 12 cm from the lower seam, and in brass on Red Cross best dress.
76 -Special Proficiency Pay Qualification Badge. As British usage.
77 -Motor Transport Qualification Badge. Cancelled by M.O. No.203.795 of 28 February 1955.

Join the Society to see all three complete parts of the article.

Jon
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Old 23-05-16, 04:42 PM
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Jon,

Interesting to note that 73 is the same as the pamphlet and 74 very similar.

regards
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Old 23-05-16, 05:10 PM
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With the crown above wheel badge, there seem to be two versions, large and small crown.

Is the large crown version more likely to be a pre WW2 prize badge?

Rob
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Old 23-05-16, 08:48 PM
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Rob,

I dont think that necessarily follows.
They come in a variety of different sizes and wheel pattern/colours.

regards
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  #10  
Old 23-05-16, 09:27 PM
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My avatar is vintage 1945. The owner continues to drive a car, although it is no longer a 1500 weight.
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  #11  
Old 24-05-16, 08:51 AM
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Am I right in saying that having a military driving licence wouldn't necessarily mean that you would wear any of the drivers badges. Not even if you had an "A" or "B" vehicle assigned to you?

Rob
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Old 24-05-16, 09:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Miller View Post
Am I right in saying that having a military driving licence wouldn't necessarily mean that you would wear any of the drivers badges. Not even if you had an "A" or "B" vehicle assigned to you?

Rob
Rob,

You are quite correct, in the case of some Regiments/units this would be down to the whim of the Commanding officer and policed by the Adjutant and Regimental sergeant major.

Kind Regards,

FMT600
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Old 24-05-16, 10:56 AM
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Perhaps a better question would be as to the purpose of a drivers badge?

Was it so a Military Policeman or other person in authority could see that you were qualified to be in charge of a vehicle in your possession without seeing your papers?

Or so an NCO or Officer could pick out a "Volunteer" to drive a vehicle somewhere?

Here is a wartime AB412 vehicle log book as issued to all British "B" vehicles, in this case for a Morris C8 which would have carried 6 people, but one man was always listed as the driver.

Rob
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File Type: jpg quad02.jpg (68.4 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg quad11.jpg (75.7 KB, 18 views)
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  #14  
Old 24-05-16, 04:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manchesters View Post
David,
I was not aware you were who you are.
Your book has been on my bookshelve since 1984 and there hasnt been a week that I have not consulted it.
It was Denis who first got me into collecting the badges that are in it!.

A most superb book and a you have my respect.

Getting back to the drivers badges what do you think of the descriptions in the pamphlet I showed?

regards
Thank you for the kind words.

The publication illustrated is "Rank and Badges etc. My copy is 1942. Whereas I have no reason to doubt it regarding the drivers' badges, the whole book is a bit shaky with some howlers. Example Scout badges in 1942? Nah!
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  #15  
Old 28-05-16, 08:01 AM
Galou49 Galou49 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy View Post
STAR. 1923, First Class driver Tank Corps, became Driver Mechanic RTC NCOs, became in "modern times" 1950 Driver. An appointment badge

Wheel 1927, probably also during Great War, Driver. A skill badge, became a Prize badge, survived to and through WW II.

Wheel and star, wheel and crown ....... Prize badges between wars, survived, not necessarily as Prize, through to 1950.

The winged wheel MT does not seem to have a pedigree [as with so many other badges that were certainly worn over a very long period]




Hello sir,
Thank you for his clarification. I would like to help with qualification lapériode patch for WWII. I have no information on it. How they got them to you , you were there several levels , how to move from one level to another ...
Thanks for your help.
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