As I understand it, there were two service oaths : for service "anywhere in Africa" (1940-43) and for service "anywhere in the world" (1943-45).
The orange/red flash was issued to those who signed up for service "anywhere in Africa", and signing up became known as "taking the red oath".
Apparently it was proposed to issue a blue flash to those who signed up for service 'anywhere in the world", but in the end they decided to continue with the orange/red flash. All the same, signing up for service 'anywhere in the world" became known as "taking the blue oath"!
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Regards
Arthur
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