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#1
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special proficiency
Hi can anyone help ?
In WW2 you often see a trade badge with the letters SP(special proficiency) in a wreith does anyone know just what the qualification was for this badge, and what trades it covers Cheers |
#2
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From Edwards and Langley page 77:
Personnel granted special proficiency pay or it's equivalent- Army Order 41 of 1938. More about who got it and when. John |
#3
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Thanks John
so it qualified for trade pay but very difficult to find out for what? of all the books I have and they are mainly uniform equipment orientated they show examples of the badge and many of it being worn but none say just what it was for ,unlike the M and AT for mortar and anti tank training that are well known none of my books state what it was for? well at least I have a start though John |
#4
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It was not trade pay.
It was a "special award for ranks below sergeant, granted at CO's discretion, of 3d per day after 3 years' service for proficiency above the average, with a limit on the number of private soldiers to be so rewarded". Subject to annual classification. Tradesmen as such could qualify. As a matter of interest, which are the books with many examples being worn ....... in my experience they are not too often seen in photos? [I am the Langley of Edwards & Langley] Last edited by grumpy; 21-11-10 at 02:33 PM. Reason: typo |
#5
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Hi Grumpy
Many thanks for that answer two of the photos I can think of are BRITISH ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA by BRIAN L DAVIS page 61 bottom left hand corner, three Grenadier Guardsmen with good conduct stripes and SP wreaths UNIFORMS OF THE WW2 TOMMY by DAVID B GORDON page 402 top left of page Coldsteram Guardsman with SP but no good conduct stripe so to clarify its a kind of reward for good work done in your field of duty ,for those who were not holders of a recognized trade or qualification badge say such as store man or clerk who was particularly good at his work and had achived a high standard of competence so in recognition of hard work the CO could reward the soldier with a pay rise of 3d a day but equally remove the privilege at his discretion |
#6
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Paybook for REME man.
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Mr Kipling - Exceedingly good badge books. |
#7
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Hello Grumpy,
I don't want to steal Tommy's thread. I have looked through your book's and have not found any place where it says who would have had different color backings to their badges. As I have it , black - Staffords, r.reen - Green Howards, blue - Queen's. And I do wonder about the ones with red backs, I have seen them called for the D.O.W. but I have also seen D.O.W. that were just white on red. Thank you for any help you can give me. John |
#8
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Special Proficiency
Here are my examples of the Special Proficiency badge - a gold bullion on dark blue and two on coloured backing:
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=23168
__________________
"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." |
#9
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if demand exists I can scan the two relevant AOs and email to interested parties. Leave a PM if so.
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#10
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Maybe this should be another thread. But when I was refering to color backings this is what I was talking about.
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#11
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surely these were regimentally added?
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#12
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As far as I know the Surveyors badge (1960 pattern) should not have any backing, as none is authorised for the Royal Regiment of Artillery or Corps of Royal Engineers.
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#13
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I suspect that this is the case.
I have seen in said that the ones with the red backing listed as being worn by several regiments as with the rifle green. My question is two fold , who all wore the red and rifle green backed. And if there are others beyond the black and blue ones if so then who would have worn them. John |
#14
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Here is a picture of a Coldstream Guards BD I have just acquired showing the SP badge and Good Conduct stripe.
PS - always check the pockets. Spare SP badge and Good Conduct stripe in the breast pocket. |
#15
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Special Pay
As a side note, Special Pay still exists (or did in the mid 90s) although there is no badge for it and it is for a specific duration. I authorised it for my extended Recce Party when we made ready the Gypsum Factory in Sipovo in Bosnia.
Chris |
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