Royal Anglian Regiment '60s Beret Badge Backing
 

Hi All,

I'm interested in getting a definitive answer on Royal Anglian Regiment beret badge backings soon after its formation. I'm familiar with the later drab beret with black tombstone backing but I'm intrigued by photos of men of the regiment in South Arabia in the mid to late '60s, particularly the photo below, amongst others, which seem to show an oblong/square, possibly in dark green.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205189877

https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/33/19...358.1538079572

Is this perhaps a carry over from units transferred from the Forester Brigade or am I over-thinking this? Any help/advice much appreciated.

Many thanks

Hi

That's a great photo. Here's some info from a R ANGLIAN site: https://www.vikingveterans.com/regimental-dress/

The khaki beret in its present form was first adopted during the Second World War. Nobody wore a beret (except the RTC) before 1940, but most of the Army went into khaki serge berets and later the standard dark blue beret during the war. The 1st Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment joined 24th Guards Independent Brigade Group under “Boy” Browning in 1942; the Guards Officers wore a khaki beret and the 1st Battalion adopted it at the time, adding the distinctive black patch. The beret went out of use after the war but was readopted in 1960, and has continued in use ever since. It was adopted by the rest of the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1970 and the wearing of it extended to Warrant Officers. The Regiment complete went into khaki berets in 1976. The black patch behind the badge commemorates the burial of Sir John Moore at Corruna in 1709 by Officers and men of the 9th Foot, the rearguard of the withdrawing British expeditionary force.

Could it be the brigade badge ?
There is some sort of square or oblong patch definitely. It doesnt look like a black tombstone though.

If the IWM is correct on date then it's likely the 4th Battalion Royal Anglian. So as was mentioned they could well be in their old berets rather than Royal Anglian ones.

If I remember correctly weren’t the regiments merged to form Royal Anglian while in Aden ?

Gerard

That would be east anglian brigade

Ah that’s it, thanks

Gerard

4 R ANGLIAN
 

The soldiers are from the 4th (Leicestershire) Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment (formed in September 1964). This photo of CSgt Davis BEM is from the final Autumn 1964 issue of The Green Tiger the journal of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment. The CSgt is clearly wearing a (green?) cloth backing to his Royal Anglian cap badge. Presumably a backing as worn previously by the Leicesters with the East Anglian Brigade cap badge.
The 1965 newsletter intended for Royal Leicester veterans has a paragraph reporting the return of 4 R ANGLIAN from a short tour in Aden. 4 R ANGLIAN were in the UK Strategic Reserve before moving to Malta.

Tim

Looks similar Tim, think we may have cracked it.

Did any of the other R.Anglian battalions wear a backing prior to the black tombstone?

Up until 1960 the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment wore a distinctive red and blue backing to the regimental cap badge in the dark blue beret. They merged with the Northamptonshire regiment in 1960 to form the 2nd Battalion East Anglian Regiment and put up the Brigade cap badge presumably without a backing until 1964 when they became 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Tim

It's not that one in the 1st image . Far too large.

Mike no it is not.
I provided the full detail in Post 8 that the image in the first post is of soldiers in Aden (1965) from 4 EAST ANGLIAN wearing a former Royal Leicester cap badge backing as worn by CSgt Davis.
You asked about badge backing in other Battalions so I showed the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment pre 1960 version. I doubt it followed through when they amalgamated with the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Tim

Tim,I was referring to the Lincolnshire backing,not the Leicester backing. The Leicester is right I think. The Lincoln would be too big for what's in the Aden image.

I was agreeing with you! My 'No it is not' meant it is not the backing in the first image.

Tim

Old age Tim sorry.
I had a mouch and found for sale on a site. A green felt tombstone backing to the Royal Leicestershire Regt. It's similar in shape and size to the KRH red tombstone. Different to the Leicester one shown in the images.