Royal Artillery Formation Badges Part 1
 

Here is a start to the Formation badges worn by members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

1st Anti Aircraft Division formed in December 1935 and disbanded in September 1942. The badge worn by members of this Division was described as "A red sword point upwards to pierce a black Dornier".

23 Artillery Brigade ( Volunteers )
 

54Bty,
You may be the person to help me I have a presentation piece to the Adjutant of the Chester Garrison.
Part of the piece is the attached plaque. Do you have any idea which regiments made up the 23 Artillery Brigade and the dates that it was in existance ?
Regards
P.B.

P.S. keep on showing the R.A. Formation Signs

23rd Artillery Brigade (Volunteers)

The Brigade was originally formed in January 1968 as 23rd Air Defence Group Royal Artillery, with three TAVR Light Air Defence Regiments 102, 103 and 104 and two Regular Regiments 22 and 36. Headquarters was based in Chester as part of HQ Chester Garrison.

In April 1972 the Group was redesignated 23rd Artillery Brigade (Volunteers), and had under command all the RA TAVR units both Air Defence and Field.

In September 1974 the Field Regiments moved to 21 Artillery Brigade leaving the three Light Air Defence Regiments with 23 Artillery Brigade (V).

The formation sign which was painted on all Brigade vehicles was "Taurus the Bull" (second sign of the Zodiac) previously used and worn by 2nd Army Group Royal Artillery (Anti Aircraft) and later 40th Army Group Royal Artillery (Anti Aircraft) (Territorial Army), a cloth badge was not worn by 23 Arty Bde (V). The colour was changed from white on black to red on blue.

ManyThanks
 

54 Bty,

Many thanks,you would not believe the number of people I have asked who could not help me.

The association with 103 Light Air Defence Regt means it has a connection with my interests and I shall keep it in my collection.

I seem to remember the Headquaters of the Brigade was opposite the Cheshire Military Museum in Chester,but surprisingly I could not find any reference to this brigade anywhere.

Thanks again

Peter

33rd Anti Aircraft Brigade
 

54Bty,
After your help on the previous query I wonder if you can tell me the regiments that made up the 33rd Anti Aircraft Brigade please

Thanks in anticipation

Peter

33rd Anti Aircraft Brigade (WWII)

70th (3rd West Lancashire) Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (TA)
93rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (TA) [cadre from 70th HAA Regt RA (TA) (Liverpool)]
38th (The King's Regiment) Search Light Regt RA (TA) [6th (Rifle) Bn The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
62nd (The Loyals) Search Light Regt RA (TA) [4th Bn The Loyal Regt (North Lancashire)


33rd Anti Aircraft Brigade (c1955)

452 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (London) (TA)
457 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (Wessex) (TA)
284 Light Anti Aircraft Regt RA (The King's Own Royal Regiment, Norfolk Yeomanry) (TA)
512 Light Anti Aircraft Regt RA (Finsbury Rifles) (TA)
517 Light Anti Aircraft Regt RA (5 Essex) (TA)
571 Light Anti Aircraft Regt RA (9 Bn Middlesex Regt) (TA)

Further information on the units can be obtained from "The Territorial Artillery 1908-1988" by Norman E.H. Litchfield, ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.

2nd Anti Aircraft Division
 

Formation badges worn by members of the 2nd Anti Aircraft Division, formed in September 1936 and disbanded in September 1942.

A Witch on a broomstick flying past the Moon.

Thanks
 

Thanks again for the information.

P.B.

Hello
I have been collecting British WW2 formation/Division badges for some time. Do you know where I might obtain a WW2 era 7th Anti Aircraft division badge. ( red scales on a blue background) Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks
John

3rd Anti Aircraft Division
 

3rd Anti Aircraft Division. Formed in September 1938 disbanded in September 1942.

The letter A either side of a Scottish Thistle in silver (or white) on dark blue.

4th Anti Aircraft Division
 

4th Anti Aircraft Division. Formed in September 1938 and disbanded in September 1942.

Three buckles in blue on a red inverted triangle.
Single buckle in red on kahki.

Both printed, if there are any embroidered versions I have not found them yet.

5th Anti Aircraft Division
 

Formation badges worn by members of the 5th Anti Aircraft Division. Formed in September 1938 and disbanded in 1942.

A black diving plane with a single tailplane in flames on a light blue background.
A black diving plane with a single tailplane in flames on a khaki background.
A black diving plane with a double tailplane in flames on a khaki background.

6th Anti Aircraft Division
 

6th Anti Aircraft Division, formation badges. Division formed in August 1939 and disbanded in September 1942.

Two white target rings pierced by a red arrow outlined in white all on a black background. Worn with the arrow pointing forward.

7th Anti Aircraft Division
 

Formation badge for the 7th Anti Aircraft Division. Formed in September 1939 and disbanded in September 1942.

A vertial sword point down horizontally crossed by a set of scales all in red on a blue background.

The embroidered version illustrated was produced from a printed badge by a member of the ATS.

8th Anti Aircraft Division
 

8th Anti Aircraft Division formation badge. Formed in October 1940 and disbanded in September 1942.

A red Swallow tailed cross in the centre of a diving black aircraft with a single tailplane all on a light blue background.

9th Anti Aircraft Division
 

Formation badges of the 9th Anti Aircraft Division, formed in October 1940 and dsibanded in September 1942.

A black cat with a red diving plane in the centre entwined by the cats tail forming the number nine outlined in red, all on a light blue background.

A black catwith a red diving plane in the centre entwined by the cats tail forming the number nine outlined in red, all on a khaki background.

Some of the badges have been trimed from the original square background to the outer edge of the cat.

10th Anti Aircraft Division
 

10th Anti Aircraft Division formation badge. Formed in November 1940 and disbanded in September 1942.

A black Lion's head outlined in white above a black and white Torse all on a khaki background.

If anyone has an embroidered or silk version I would be pleased to see it.

11th Anti Aircraft Division
 

11th Anti Aircraft Division, formation badge. Formed in November 1940 and disbanded in September 1942.

A black Eagle detailed in yellow with a red arrow through its chest all on a khaki background.

12th Anti Aircraft Division
 

12th Anti Aircraft Division, formation badges. Formed in November 1940 and disbanded in September 1942.

A black and white double six domino on a red (horizontal) diamond.

"Thats all folks", on the AA Divisions anyway, unless I get others.

What was the major change that occured in September 1942 that necessitated the disbanding of these Regts.?
A large scale re-organisation?

Magnificent badges !!

Cheers !
Steve

Anti Aircraft Command formation badge
 

Regiments were not disbanded, it was the Divisional HQ, therefore the Division was disbanded.

In September 1942 the Regiments in the AA Divisions were formed into AA Groups numberd 1 to 7 with 8 and 9 added in November 1944. These AA Groups did not (as far as I know) have their own badges, they were all to wear the formation badge of AA Command.

The black on red drawn bow and arrow taken from the 'Gordon' family crest which was displayed at Glenthorn the HQ of AA Command, which was formed in March 1939.

The Royal Regiment of Artillery was (is) a very large complicated organisation, it gets worse on the 1st of April 1947, but that is another story.

Anti Aircraft Corps
 

The three AA Corps were formed in November 1940 and like the AA Divisions disbanded in September 1942.

I AA Corps. A bird with an arrow through the body in red on a blue background.

II AA Corps. An armoured arm and hand holding a Daggercon a Torse all in silver grey (blue) on a red background.

III AA Corps. Three crescents in red on a white vertical bar in the centre of a red square. [This image is of a badge in the collection of the late Norman E.H. Litchfield. Therefore I still require one.]

Anti Aircraft and Coast Defence CMF
 

Anti Aircraft and Coast Defence Central Mediterranean Forces, formation badge.

Two white letters A overlapped in the centre of a red over blue square.

Superb Thread
 

54Bty,
Superb thread and most interesting, please keep the illustrations coming
P.B.

Liverpool Rifles post war service dress and battledress
 

54Bty,
You may be interested in the pictures of a post WW2 service dress and battledress of an officer of the former 6th Kings ( Liverpool Rifles ) which I acquired some time ago.Unfortunatly both uniforms were very badly mothed,but luckily the div signs and shoulder titles generally unaffected. The arm badge of the Liverpool Rifles on the battledress being worn below that of A.A. command.
P.B.

54Bty,
have always assumed that the single arched bow version was WW2 & the double arched version was post WW2. Is this a correct assumption ?? Is there a pattern change date here?
Have a hand woven & machine woven version of the 1st pattern.

Cheers !
Steve

A strung bugle horn below a rose in black on a red background
 

38th (The King's Regiment) Search Light Regiment Royal Artillery (TA).

Formed in 1939 from the 38th (The King's Regiment) Anti Aircraft Battalion Royal Engineers, which was formed in 1936 from the 6th (Rifle) Battalion The King's Regiment (Liverpool). Converted to 635th Regiment RA in January 1945.


573rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment RA (The King's Regiment) (TA).

Formed in 1947, and amalgamated in 1955. The badge continued to be worn on the left sleeve by; Q (King’s) Battery 1955-1956, then R (King’s) Battery 1956-1961, then HQ (King’s) Battery of the 287th Medium Regiment RA (TA), reduced in 1967.

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:(Unfortunately I thought that the text of my images would appear in the URL window, but, they do not.

The AA Command badges changed in 1945, but, I do not have an exact date or even the month. One of those things I still have to work on.

Liverpool Rifles arm badge
 

54 Bty,
I have a number of examples of the arm badge ( and of the Liverpool Rifles cloth title- Lichfield fig 172). The ones I have from an officers service dress tunic seems to be of slightly better quality than the others.
P.B.

67 Searchlight Regiment RA.
133 Battery RA.
HQ BTY 457 Regiment RA.
Malta Mobile Units RA.

96th AGRA
 

Attached are scans of the signs of 96th AGRA which took me years to find,they obviously represent the Liver Buildings. The formation included the Liverpool Irish and Liverpool Welsh ( 626 and 653 HAA Regiments R.A.)

I have the Service tunic of Sir Gerald McClellan CBE TD JP DL the last C.O. of 626 HAA Regt it has anodised Liverpool Irish buttons and I bought it from a dealer in the U.S.

Sir Gerald told me that he had disposed of all his uniforms through a friend of his son and I oftern wonder what happened to his battledress ( which might have had the 96th AGRA div signs on it ) and his Caubeen.

P.B.
P.S. Can any one give any hints for taking photos of items behind glass in frames

Higher Formations
 

Southern Command.
Worn by the HQRA staff and some units. A cross of five white five pointed stars centered on a shield divided vertically red right and blue left.

I Corps.
Worn by HQRA Staff. A white spear head in the centre of a red and blue diamond, worn with red to the front.

X Corps.
Worn by HQRA Staff. A white disc over a white vertical bar on a red and blue diamond.

Higher Formations continued
 

1st Division.
Worn by HQRA Staff and some units. A white triangle in the centre of a red and blue triangle.

School of Artillery B.A.O.R., a blue cross on a red shield with S of A above a field gun all in yellow.
Formed in May 1946, disbanded in December 1948.

Shoeburyness Garrison, field gun in yellow on a light blue background, c1940 to 1961.

Army Groups Royal Artillery (AGRA)
 

1st Army Group Royal Artillery, formed on the 24th of August 1942, redesignated on the 1st of January 1947, as 3rd Army Group Royal Artillery (Field) Central Mediterranean Forces. A shield divided red and blue with a yellow cannon barrel vertically in the centre.

2nd Army Group Royal Artillery, formed on the 24th of August 1942 from elements of HQRA 1st Army. Redesignated in February 1946 as HQ 180th Infantry Brigade. A red cross in the centre of a white shield with a sword point down in the centre.

AGRAs continued
 

1st Army Group RA (Field), formed in July 1955, a Ram's Head (skull) in black and white on a red background. Redesignated in October 1961 as 1st Artillery Brigade.

2nd Army Group RA (Anti Aircraft) formed in April 1947 as part of Middle East Land Forces, placed in suspended animation in December 1954, later reformed and redesignated in April 1959 as 40th AGRA (AA) (TA).

3rd Army Group Royal Artillery (Field) Central Mediterranean Forces. A shield divided red and blue with a yellow cannon barrel vertically in the centre formed in January 1947 from elements of 1st and 3rd AGRA, Disbanded in October 1947.

3rd Army Group Royal Artillery (Field). A blue shield with a red bar across the centre with the Roman numeral III in white in the centre.

4th Army Group RA (Field), Formed February 1943 disbanded March 1946 [no badge as yet].

5th Army Group RA, formed February 1943 disbanded April 1946 [no badge as yet].

5th Army Group RA (Anti Aircraft), formed in November 1950 disbanded in January 1962. A red cart wheel and an arrow on a blue background.

6th Army Group RA, formed in March 1943 disbanded in November 1945. The sixth sign of the Zodiac in white on a black background.

7th Army Group RA, formed in March 1943 redesignated in February 1946 as 181 Infantry Brigade [no badge as yet].

7th Army Group RA (Anti Aircraft), formed in November 1955 redesignated in October 1961 as 7th Artilley Brigade.

8, 9, 10, 16, 17, and 18 AGRA all existed between 1943 and 1947, [no badge as yet].

AGRAs
 

54Bty,
Excellent,nice to see actual examples and in colour,please keep them coming.

Peter

40th Army Group RA (AA) (TA), April 1959 to May 1961.
41st Army Group RA (AA) (TA), August 1955 to May 1964.
42nd Army Group RA (AA) (TA), August 1955 to May 1961.
59th Army Group RA (AA), August 1944 to

84th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to June 1950.
85th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1945 to July 1950.
86th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to October 1956.
87th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to October 1955, 2 patterns.

88th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to October 1956.
89th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to October 1956.
90th Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to October 1956.
91st Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to August 1950.
92nd Army Group RA (Fd) (TA), January 1947 to September 1948.