Quote:
Originally Posted by john badge
When the 2nd Bn was raised in WWII they where issued the lugged badges. The 2nd Bn where a tank battalion and served in 6th Guards Armoured. The 1st & 3rd Bn where both issued with sliders. The usual theory is that the 2nd Bn where issued with lugged badges because they where in tanks and a lugged badge was more secure. The truth is no one knows for sure, but a lugged badge would be difficult to fit on a Welsh Guards forage cap.
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John,
This is anecdotal and and as you say unsubstantiated. Welsh Guards recruits arriving at the Guards Depot (at that point their eventual Bn would be unknown) were most likely issued the standard pattern badge worn since 1915, which would have had a slider. Julian's (KLR) discovery of the official dating of the "Lugged" badge, probably coincides with a Request from the 2nd Bn after excessive losses of cap badges to the "Hull Monster" for a more suitable and secure means of fitment? Recruits arriving from the Depot after completing training would most likely have continued to wear whatever badge they received on initial issue and only on the occasion of a loss would these have been replaced with a lugged badge? The lugged badge may have been issued to everyone in the 2nd Bn for wear in the beret, however as you say it is impossible to fit a lugged badge to a WG Forage Cap without causing damage and even then, due to the construction of the cap the badge would not sit as neatly as it was intended (Roots Resting on the Chin Strap)!
Andy