Cavalry Arm Badges? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Bill A · #1 14-09-10, 01:30 PM

Which Canadian cavalry units wore nco arm badges during the Second World War?

Phillip Herring · #2 14-09-10, 03:13 PM

I have seen photographs of RCD Snr NCOs wearing RCD cap badges as arm badges.

Phil

GregN · #3 14-09-10, 07:42 PM

Hi Bill, the BCD Museum in Kelowna has a war-time uniform with a BCD arm badge over 3 stripes on display.

Greg

Bill A · #4 14-09-10, 08:30 PM

Thanks Phil. If they used the cap badge, it would face to the rear on one side. Hi Greg, What is the badge that is on the stripes, the cap badge? Any chance of an image?

Voltigeur · #5 14-09-10, 08:43 PM

How about the Sgt. on the left,is that what you're looking for Bill ???
Jo
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/d...oviqqavs023t31

Bill A · #6 14-09-10, 08:47 PM

Hi Joe, Yes, that is a good illustration of the practice. In reference to my reply to Phil, it is apparent that they did wear the cap badge facing to the rear. And, unless there is some other explanation, it appears that they only wore it on one side, given the lack of badges on the other sgts.

Moe RCNR · #7 15-09-10, 01:57 PM

Hello: I am I right in presuming that Sgt. arm badges were an indication of confirmation in rank? Also, that the Canadian cavalry regiments were following a tradition established by British cavalry regiments?
Moe.

Bill A · #8 15-09-10, 02:04 PM

Hi Moe, The practice was definitely associated with the British army tradition. Your first point may be the explanation, can someone confirm?

Voltigeur · #9 15-09-10, 02:04 PM

Speaking for myself, I was told a ions ago by Capt. Vern Murray of the Royal Montreal Regt. that the wearing of the cap badge on the Sgt. chevrons, was indeed, to signify "confirmed in rank" (since all ranks are "acting" until confirmed). Was this a strictly Canadian practice or, was it something taken from British habits.....

Jo

WJ Miller · #10 15-09-10, 11:59 PM

Bill, a while back you had a thread similar to this. Some good reference in those earlier postings.
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=4545

WJ Miller · #11 16-09-10, 12:17 AM

I can "confirm" that the practive of wearing a cap or collar badge on the right sleeve chevron denoted a confimed rank.

From the 1 Cdn Armd Carrier Regt, Part I Orders for March 22, 1945:

278. Badges
W.E.F (with effect from) this date, confirmed NCO's of the rank of Sgt. and above will wear a miniature of the regimental cap badge on their right sleeve. Sgts will wear the badge at the base of the "V" formed by the chevron. W.O.s, will wear the badge one inch below the insignia of rank on the left sleeve.
Sqns may obtain badges for NCOs now eligible from the Q.M. Stores.

The "miniatures" issued in the case of the 1CACR were collar badges, Sgts wore the right facing and WOs wore the left facing. Though from some of the veteran memorabilia I've seen it looks like they all might have been issued the pair together and just wore the appropriate facing badge? I have seenthe estates of a couple Sgts now that had a single used right collar and an unused left.

Those veterans who had closer ties to or access to QM stores seem to have had more than a few left over badges as well...

Voltigeur · #12 16-09-10, 01:13 AM

Always speaking for myself Bill, a thousand thanks for posting the Part 1 Orders of 22 March 1945, that's a real gem.Going back to the photograph you posted on 15-01-09 of the two GGHG Sgts, one is wearing the badge on the chevrons and the second is not. Does that mean that he is not confirmed in rank (he wears a white service chevron,so an old timer...) or that he's already confirmed and doesn't have to wear the badge ????

Jo

WJ Miller · #13 16-09-10, 01:32 AM

Hi Jo,

I'll repost the image in question here. This is a detail of a larger photo of the "A" Squadron Sgts. From what can be seen there was only the one Sgt of "confirmed" rank... bu then I can't see all the right sleves either. Anyway, yes the other fellow (right) while by his service chevrons is a longer serving soldier, he is not of confirmed rank (hence no cap badge on his rank chevrons).
Also note the fellow on the right has a wound stripe too.

I don't think time served in the army has any bearing on rise in rank. Attitude and aptitude were deciding factors. As well, men could decline promotion, revert to a lower rank upon request or have rank stripped through punishment, so... who knows. A few vets I've talked too didn't want promotion, i.e.: didn't want the responsibility.

Voltigeur · #14 16-09-10, 02:07 AM

Thanks Bill for the informations,greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Jo

WJ Miller · #15 18-12-10, 04:02 AM

While perusing the South Alberta Regt. Veteran's Association website and the photo gallery they have posted, I saw this configuration of arm/rank insignia.

(TQMS) Tank Quartermaster Sergeant Harry Quarton, wearing what looks to me to be the early CAC sleeve badge (tank facing right) on the apex of his rank chevrons!?

Any other TQMS photos similar to this out there? Detail below.