Official Account of The R.A.C.

[Peter Brydon]

Picked up a War Office booklet this morning "The First Official Account of the Royal Armoured Corps ". Cant find a date but may be late 1944.

When I saw the cap badges illustrated on the backs of the front and back pages I thought that perhaps there might be some mention in the text of chrome or white metal badges worn by infantry battalions that converted to RAC but there is not .

At least the illustrations of the badges are a quick reminder of which regiments had battalions that converted.

P.B.

[GriffMJ]

Peter

That looks good...... WW2 ish by the look or just after? The Guards Amd are not in it....?

The 1RD badge pictured is the one below.... the 17/21L is the old Firmin.

[Sonofacqms]

Peter,

For a moment I thought you had cracked the eternal question as to why some Infantry badges are chromed, but sadly as you say no answer.

Still, the illustrations will be of help to identify which Infantry converted to armour.

Rob

[gb64]

I have the same book, had it years its a good little paper back. Mine has First Published 1945 on page 6, cant see any other dates to see if its re published one or not, but it feels and smells OLD.
A great little note on bottom of page 71 '' There are many men and woman in the Forces who would welcome a chance of reading this book. If you hand it in to the nearest Post Office, it will get to them''

The good old days, doubt it would get out of the sorting office now days
I'll try to get a couple of pics later, as having camera trouble at the moment

Gerard

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Griff, Rob and Gerard,

Yes I have now noticed 1945 on page 6.

Some one has gone to a lot of trouble drawing the badges, even down to shadows.

Not quite sure of how the order in which the badges are illustrated, especially the infantry, has been decided on.

Peter

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

Peter,

For a moment I thought you had cracked the eternal question as to why some Infantry badges are chromed, but sadly as you say no answer.

Still, the illustrations will be of help to identify which Infantry converted to armour.

Rob

Rob..... is it me with wishful thinking..... but the badges apart from the bronzed/blackened look just one tone and not two? Very hard to tell..... the Queen's Bays looks as if its brass.

[gb64]

Griff,
In the flesh so to speak apart from those you mention the rest are all one plain " chrome" colour , more than wishfull thinking? Can't say would be nice to find out

Gerard

[Peter Brydon]

The badge illustrated between those of the Essex Regt and DLI is that of the Staffordshire Yeomanry.

It seems strange to put it in amongst the infantry. Is this the design of badge they wore as part of the RAC ?

P.B.

[GriffMJ]

Peter

It looks like they got their "Staffs" mixed up for the photo..... the North Staffs is in the Yeomanry line of badges.....and the Staffs Yeo in the Inf. badges.

I always thought of the practice of chroming a badge as a National service RAC thing.... but would that explain the chromed "Kings Own" with slider badge?

[sketchley kid]

am I the only one on here that bought this in 1945..........?
they come up regularly on ebay RAC.

[johnG]

Originally Posted by sketchley kid

am I the only one on here that bought this in 1945..........?
they come up regularly on ebay RAC.

Bought it in 1945?. That makes you positively ancient and leaves me wondering who is the oldest resident on the forum.

Best wishes,

johnG

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

the 17/21L is the old Firmin.

That is a bold statement based on a drawing, you are familliar with the term 'artistic licence'?

Rgds, Thomas.

[GriffMJ]

Thomas.... its the old Firmin..looped.

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

Thomas.... its the old Firmin..looped.

Griff,
Your talents never cease to amaze me, you can even tell which die a line drawing came from!

Awesome

Andy

[GriffMJ]

Lol..... hunting in packs again...

Its a photo Andy.