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Old 16-03-21, 03:27 PM
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Default The Mobile Defence Corps

Can you help solve a mystery?

The Mobile Defence Corps was formed in January 1955 to act as a link between the armed forces and the Civil Defence organisation in the event of a nuclear attack on Britain. It was to consist of thirty-six battalions which would undertake ambulance and rescue duties. The Corps arm title approved at the end of 1956 was followed by authority for ‘unit embellishments’ which had to be printed, of reasonable size and could not resemble existing formation signs. Battalions wishing to adopt local coats of arms had to obtain permission for their use from civic authorities. That of the 11th (Gloucester & Somerset) Bn is shown. The Corps, never likely to attract enough volunteers, was disbanded in 1959.

Badges on Battle Dress illustrates eleven badges and lists others approved by the War Office for several battalions, examples of the latter yet to be discovered – possibly because they were never actually made.

A sketch of the 22nd Bn’s badge appeared in The Formation Sign back in the 1970s and the acorn sign shown may be that described for the 31st Surrey Bn. It is possible that examples of the others exist in some collections so please have a look and see if we can dig them up.

3rd Sussex; An azure shield with surround and six Sussex martlets in gold
7th Middlesex; A shield divided lengthwise into MDC colours with a crown above VIII in gold
19th West Riding: Incorporates white on maroon and amber on black, the colours of the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment which recruits from South Yorkshire
22nd Lincoln; MDC colours, red lower, blue upper, with 22 superimposed
27th West Lancashire; A horizontal red diamond with 27 superimposed in blue
29th Northants & Leicestershire: A shield divided horizontally, one third light blue, two thirds red. A red fox of Leicester on the blue, the falcon of Northants on the red with XXIX superimposed.
31st Surrey: A white acorn and sprig on black taken from the County arms
Attached Images
File Type: jpg MDC BLD.jpg (31.5 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg MDC 11th Bn B Morris.jpg (97.3 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg 22nd Bn copy.jpg (57.1 KB, 5 views)
File Type: jpg MDC Surrey Bn Rob.jpg (91.8 KB, 9 views)
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