anodised Royal Corps of Transport on Yellow Diamond
 

I recently acquired these 3 RCT badges. Two came with Douglas Tartan backings and another with a yellow cloth backing in a diamond shape. I knew that the one on the top left with the square tartan was 154 Lowland Regiment RCT (Vols) and the one on the right with the tartan on its point was 153 Highland Regiment RCT (Vols), but I was clueless about the one with the yellow backing.

I immediately assumed it was something to do with Lancashire. I thought possibly a Lancashire RCT Volunteer outfit. I didn't have my 'Army Waggoners' book to hand so I checked out those albums on here that had a focus on the RCT, but still couldn't find it.

However, I did eventually find the answer. Not surprisingly it has absolutely nothing to do with Lancashire, but is a pipers badge also of the 153 Highland Regiment.

I didn't think for one minute of pipers. Anyway I thought it worth sharing in case anybody else comes across one.
Mark

Mark, all 3 are beautiful badges. I love badges that come with their original backing material like that, so really enjoyed seeing these.

Terry

I think the tartan of the RCT is 'Red McDuff' same as for the RLC

I thought "Red McDuff" fought at Bannockburn

Sorry my mistake - yes Red McDuff.
Mark

Gents, I too have the yellow diamond backing in a type of yellow twill. I had 2 of these, the spare I sold here to a member a year or 2 ago.

I also have it noted as 153 Highland Artillery Support Regt, pipe band.

Bess

The official designation of the Regiment's Tartan is No16 Red MacDuff (Ancient).

Worn on the point by 153 Highland Transport Regiment RCT (V) and Scottish Transport Regiment RLC (V) and square by 154 Lowland Transport Regiment RCT (V)

The Tartan also used by the pipers of the Royal Logistic Corps and Queens Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment.

Thank you Mark for a very interesting and informative post. Always grateful for these additional details on cap badges,
Best regards,
Ian

Hello all,

The Lamont Tartan badge backing with RCT cap badge is incorrect.
(With a little investigation i have found the following information;)

1st April 1993,
Formed by re-designation of 94 (Scottish) Ordnance Squadron RAOC into 125 Rations Sqn RLC;
then on the 1st April 2007, moved to 159 Supply Regiment RLC (V) now renamed 159 Regiment RLC.

The cap badge should be RLC (early annodised and then the 10th Anniversary issue badge, up to 2007, after this date the new shiney badge was issued, but not worn with the Lamont Tartan backing.

The RASC and RCT wore two types of badge backings;
The yellow Twill backing on hard back (in pointed position) worn by 527 Coy, 51st (Highland) Divisional Column RASC (TA) and also the Pipes & Drums of the Band of 153 (Highland) Divisional Column RASC (TA). This then moved forward into the Royal Corps of Transport, where the McDuff Tartan was worn by 153 (Highland) Regiment RCT (V) (All ranks, including their Pipes & Drums) in the pointed position on their headdress.

Also 154 (Lowland) Regiment RCT (V) wore the McDuff Tartan (in Square position) on their headdress.

So in summary;
This Tartan backing is correct, when worn with the RLC badge, but was never worn by any RCT units, but was also worn by RAOC units prior to the RLC.

Ken (The Fatboy)

One minor correction, The RAOC had Companies not Sqdrons so it was 94 (Scottish) Ordnance Company RAOC (V) renamed from 51 Ordnance Field Park (V) in the 1970's. 51 OFP Pipe Band originally wore the Mackenzie Tartan surplus from the HLI on amalgamation and no badge backing on the beret. It was 12(GS) Company RAOC (V) Pipe Band based in Edinburgh that first wore the Lamont Tartan later to become the official RAOC Tartan. It is not known when 94 Company adopted the badge backing.

The Scottish Transport Regiment RLC (V) was formed in 1993 from the amalgamation of 153 (Highland) Transport Regiment RCT(V) and 154 (Lowland) Transport Regiment RCT(V). The unit retains its the Red McDuff Tartan as a backing to the RLC cap badge when worn with the beret. previously an independent company 125 Ration Squadron was absorbed within the Regiment.

The Scottish Transport Regiment RLC (V) was renamed to 154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC (Reserves) in 2020 and now wear the Tam-O-Shanter



125 Supply Squadron RLC (Reserves) is now part of 159 Regiment RLC (Reserves)

125 Supply Squadron closed its base in Glasgow but re-formed in Stoke-on-Trent in late 2014 as part of the 2020 Army reforms.

That is great Mike

Many thanks for the confirmation of the unit, its predecessors and successors. I'm not good with RAOC history 🙁😕☹
Great image of the Tam-O-Shanter with cap badge.

All you have to do now is find one LoL

Mike,

I've got one on order already, hopefully when it arrives, and I check it is the correct Tartan, I'll post an image for everyone else to see and confirm.

I will then let you know by pm where i got it from. :):););)

Ken

From the excellent publication Insignia of the RCT.

Mike, " The Tartan also used by the pipers of the Royal Logistic Corps and Queens Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment " Is this worn square or on the point??
Jerry
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