[lightbobs]

Hi,

Have done some digging and below are extracts from the Buckinghamshire Cadet Battalion’s entries in the Royal Green Jackets Chronicles for 1974 & 1979.

This would put the usage of the Buckinghamshire Battalion badge between 1974 and 1980 at the latest.


BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CADET BATTALION 1974
“Nineteen seventy-four has been rather more eventful than usual, one might almost say hectic for Bucks. A.C.F., but in spite of it all—or perhaps because of it — the Battalion is in excellent heart. The main event of the year has been our affiliation to the Royal Green Jackets and, because we were affiliated to the Royal Artillery only five years ago, some explanation of why this has happened is necessary.

The simple truth is that in spite of the best will in the world, the Gunners simply could not support us on the ground in Buckinghamshire. There are all sorts of reasons for this, none of which reflect the slightest discredit on the Royal Regiment, but they simply could not do so. As a result, and with their agreement, we felt it was imperative to find someone else to take us on. It is singularly appropriate that we should now be looked after by the only Regular Regiment which exists today which has long historical county connections in Buckinghamshire. Undoubtedly there were mutters in some quarters that "the Black Mafia were at it again" but it is clear that our new affiliation is a matter of deep satisfaction to us all, not only within the Regiment itself, but throughout the county. To perpetuate our county identity we have received permission to wear the old Buckinghamshire Battalion badge, which is the black Maltese Cross incorporating the county emblem, the Swan, in its centre.

The benefits of this affiliation are already much apparent. We receive invaluable help in Buckinghamshire from the R.G.J. Cadet Training Team and from the "D" Company 4 R.G.J. at Aylesbury.”

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CADET BATTALION 1979
“Finally, it is with some nostalgia, yet with pride, that the Buckinghamshire ACF is being rebadged. We are replacing our erstwhile Bucks Battalion Cap Badge with that of the Royal Green Jackets. This must surely cement the already warm relationship between us and hopefully portend a better and closer liaison.”

Regards

Steve