A couple of earlier posts on RAA beret badges, were focused on the stamped metal items worn by Other Ranks. This time, I thought it might be worth taking a look at RAA Officers' insignia sets and the bullion beret badges authorised for wear on the beret by those ranks.
The attached (CB09) image set, shows the detail of the 'AMOR' makers mark and the rivet fixture for the rotating gun carriage wheel on the face of the badge. The bullion badge shows some fairly characteristic design distortion for used insignia of the relevant period and the screen-print variant of the cloth shoulder title, may be of interest, because it is of the early production type.
![](https://charliebravobooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/cb-09-raa-officers-set-including-bullion-beret-badge-small.jpg?w=960"]https://charliebravobooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/cb-09-raa-officers-set-including-bullion-beret-badge-small.jpg?w=960)
https://charliebravobooks.files.word...mall.jpg?w=960
The next image shows the CB11 anodised insignia set for Commissioned Officers and WO1s of the RAA. As most people here would know, the anodised aluminium insignia were on issue over the period 1965 and were progressively phased out of issue after 1996.
![](https://charliebravobooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/cb-11-raa-officers-insignia-set-with-bullion-bert-badge-variations-small.jpg?w=960"]https://charliebravobooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/cb-11-raa-officers-insignia-set-with-bullion-bert-badge-variations-small.jpg?w=960)
https://charliebravobooks.files.word...mall.jpg?w=960
Finally, of particular relevance to this post, are the backing cloth variations of the bullion badges worn by appropriate personnel of the RAA in the stated time-frame. The dark blue beret cloth backing is the standard beret item (of course). Meanwhile, the dull cherry cloth is (tentatively) attributed to wear by relevant personnel from Airborne Units of the period. Research on this particular point has yet to be established from either primary or secondary records and so, comment or feedback on this point is genuinely welcome... especially from ADF members with direct knowledge on this point.
Yours in research, in collecting and in scribbling about it all
Mark
charliebravobooks.com
Co-Author of “Metal Uniform Embellishments of the Australian Army”
Post 1953 (the ‘QEII’ era) Vol 1 and Vol 2