The Mobile Defence Corps
 

Can you help solve a mystery?

The Mobile Defence Corps was formed in January 1955 to act as a link between the armed forces and the Civil Defence organisation in the event of a nuclear attack on Britain. It was to consist of thirty-six battalions which would undertake ambulance and rescue duties. The Corps arm title approved at the end of 1956 was followed by authority for ‘unit embellishments’ which had to be printed, of reasonable size and could not resemble existing formation signs. Battalions wishing to adopt local coats of arms had to obtain permission for their use from civic authorities. That of the 11th (Gloucester & Somerset) Bn is shown. The Corps, never likely to attract enough volunteers, was disbanded in 1959.

Badges on Battle Dress illustrates eleven badges and lists others approved by the War Office for several battalions, examples of the latter yet to be discovered – possibly because they were never actually made.

A sketch of the 22nd Bn’s badge appeared in The Formation Sign back in the 1970s and the acorn sign shown may be that described for the 31st Surrey Bn. It is possible that examples of the others exist in some collections so please have a look and see if we can dig them up.

3rd Sussex; An azure shield with surround and six Sussex martlets in gold
7th Middlesex; A shield divided lengthwise into MDC colours with a crown above VIII in gold
19th West Riding: Incorporates white on maroon and amber on black, the colours of the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment which recruits from South Yorkshire
22nd Lincoln; MDC colours, red lower, blue upper, with 22 superimposed
27th West Lancashire; A horizontal red diamond with 27 superimposed in blue
29th Northants & Leicestershire: A shield divided horizontally, one third light blue, two thirds red. A red fox of Leicester on the blue, the falcon of Northants on the red with XXIX superimposed.
31st Surrey: A white acorn and sprig on black taken from the County arms

The 2nd illustration looks like it could be Bristol area .The 4th Notts,similar to a South Notts Hussars collar badge

I would tend to agree with Mike.

The image shown for the 31st Surrey Bn is identical to the South Notts Hussars cap and collar badge.

Whilst there is a 'similar' acorn and leaf design within the Surrey coat of arms its is markedly different and the image shown is identical to the SNH device.

Good evening,

an officer cap found some years ago

Laurent

Nice cap Laurent,unusual to see a red banded cap with a plain blue top. No red piping.

"11th (Gloucestershire) Battalion in Bristol recruiting from Gloucestershire and Somersetshire, re-designated as 11th (Gloucestershire and Somersetshire) Btn in December 1956."

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Surrey's coat of arms and a contender for 31st Surrey Battalion's badge.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...1&d=1615924391

Thanks for all the answers. Rolfi's badge does seem to be a contender for the Surrey Bn as it has all the hallmarks of the badges produced by the Calico Printers.

Jon

Geoff Newman just sold a 15th Warwickshire MDC badge ,a red bear and ragged staff on pale blue.

Taken from the War Office dress committee meeting 3rd Sept 1957.
The decision to approve the arm badge for the 31st (Surrey)Btn MDC.