ARMY FOUNDATION COLLEGE
 

Hello, I have just watched a TV program about the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and noticed that at least one of the Jnr Soldiers was wearing a blue disc behind the cap badge.
Can anyone tell me if there is different colour backing for each intake, term, etc please? If so would they be similar to the RAF apprentice backings ??

Jerry

Not aware of backings, but I do know that the AFC rank slides comes with a different coloured stripe

When I was there in ‘77 it was signals only and no backing.
Bob

Just dug them out

Thanks for the reply Bob. The program defiantly had a Jnr solider(female) with a Blue (plastic?) backing and I have just seen a bit of ep1 s1 (June 2018)where they are wearing GREEN backings to the badge.

Jerry

It could be for different companies or different stages of training.
In the 80s each squadron wore a different coloured loop on the epaulettes. Green,black,blue and yellow. The champion squadron wore 1 of the sqn colour and 1 in red. Recruits wore 1 of their sqn and a white one.

Rank Slides;
This is what I produced in 2002 from information from the RQMS at Harrogate.
There is one with a black band, but, no explanation.
Marc

So looking at Mark's AFC ranks, should I presume that they have 4 different colour badge backings, one for each company??
Red, Light Blue, Dark Blue & Green

Jerry

Bob

were you there as an Apprentice Tradesman ?? My brother was intake 77C (Rawson Squadron) at AAC Harrogate - he finished his time there as AT RSM

PL

I remember his name on the honours board Paul. Before Brian Bingham and Paddy Mackay

77C Penney Squadron, overlooking the Parade Ground!
13th September 1977

Your showing your age now Bob . Lol.Supposedly the 2nd biggest parade ground after Pirbright.

He was one of around only 2 or 3 AT RSMs who undertook the role for more than one term and as such his name appears on the honours board twice. he finally retired from the army (after a long and interesting career)three years ago as a Lieutenant Colonel

PL

Depending on when you graduated, he probably commanded your graduation parade (he commanded both his own graduation parade and the one before that). When he graduated he was awarded The Master of Signals Award for the best all round apprentice. The College RSM was a chap by the name of Sammy Connor from the Irish Guards and the College Commandant was a chap with the unusual name of Colonel Ultan Ryan !

PL

He didnt,Chris Griffin commanded mine. As far as im aware nobody has heard a word from him since.
There was a guy who i served with,he did over 30 years. Im not sure if hes still in or just finished Dougie Eaglesham.
Paddy Connor and Ultan Ryan were both there when i was there. They were replaced by Lionel Bailey and a chap called Verdon ex Ulster Rifles i think. Paddy Connor came to our last Sqn reunion.
They tried to stop the more than 1 term as A/T RSM. I recall the late Dave Richards should have had it for 2 terms,he only had 1. But it could be very political, when i left the RSM was from my Sqn,as were the majority of leavers. He wasnt the best guy for the job.

Using 54bty rank chart I believe that the following maybe correct for AFC badge backings:-
Peninsula Coy - Red
Alamein Coy - Blue
Burma Coy - Green
Waterloo Coy - Lt Blue
These are all 42 week long course's.

There is also a 5th Coy I believe:-
Cambrei - Black backing??
Which is a shorter length of 22 weeks.
Can a member confirm if this is correct please?
I can source the red, blue & green backings but where can I get Lt Blue & Black one's?
Thank you
Jerry

Jerry,im sure those on the TV series are on a 6 month course. They are wearing blue backings.

There has been a Junior Entry Unit in Harrogate since 1947 first as "The Army Apprentices School" and in its early years trained Apprentices for the RA, RE and R Sigs.

In 1961 training for the RA and RE was transferred elsewhere and since then the College trained apprentice tradesmen solely for telecommunications trades in the Royal Corps of Signals.

In 1966 its title was changed to "The Army Apprentice College" and the badge of the College was changed to that of the Royal Corps of Signals

It closed in 1996

The site was totally redeveloped over 2 years and in September 1998, the site reopened as the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) to provide initial military training to the army's youngest enlisted trainees, aged between 16 years and 17 years, 5 months

~

I am attending the February passing out parade for Cambrai & Waterloo Companies as a VIP guest (as Chairman of Harrogate RBL) and will ask a few questions of my host as to company colours & use of coloured disks.

In particular the black slides which I have never seen, but I believe to be the remedial (sickness & back squading) platoon.

Not sure of the week, but I think in week 7 they rebadge to the intended Regiment or Corps, and wear the company coloured slide from the same point in time.

Mike, I will look forward to any information you get during your visit to AFC regarding the backings etc.

Jerry

Thanks to PL & Mike H, for giving me flashbacks! Sammy was a grand RSM if ever there was one, firm but fair! Regards Mark

Mike, did you have any joy with the questions I posted about the Army Foundation college when you attended recently??
Jerry

Paul ,your brother would have known the late Paul Lightfoot. Who sadly died in the Falklands helicopter crash.

What squadron were you in Mark ?