Thanks Mike.
Interestingly MOD docket WO32/16956 is the anodised badge policy documemt which runs from 1957 - 1965, but initial minutes are copies of a Branch memoranda docket dated 1951 - comprising of a cover letter from J R Gaunt which accompanied 2 sample RASC anodised cap badges sent to the War Office.
This docket covers aspects of anodised badge manufacture and trials (cap, collar, trade and rank) and is to a certain extent a snap shot of the genus of anodised badge implementation throughout this period. There was a clear drive to 'anodise' all regiments and corps.
Although there is little specific mention individual regiments in any comprehensive manner, there is some valuable and interesting information. There are some listed returns and commentary from the Guards Brigade which is a little conflicting, but suffice to say that they were unpopular with Guards Bn's.
There is no specific mention of which badges are to be introduced first - i.e. cap or collar - or indeed which were rolled out first to individual regiments. However a review memo dated Nov 1964 quotes anodisation completion as follows:-
cap - 60%
collar - 70%
button - 50% - (becoming 100% later that year)
Whilst there is no specific mention of the 9L, there is mention of difficulties in manufacturing the 9/12L cap badge. Interestingly this memo is dated over a year before the actual amalgamation in 1960.
All the above for interests sake gents.
Hopefully Chris may uncover some data that may add light to the 9L anodised badges question.
Regards all
Bess
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