Infantry Collars??

[bloggins]

Hi all

Yesterday I came across a few hundred badges, both cloth and metal. Most are around the unification period.

One mystery I have found are what I was told might be Infantry Branch Collars. they themselves are not named but one of them is on a plastic holder marked "William Scully"

they are approx 2 1/2cm x 2 1/2cm

I'm not convinced they are infantry collars but I really don't know.

Any help would be very appreciated

Thank you

[Phillip Herring]

Yes. Infantry Branch.

[bloggins]

Thanks Phillip

Do you know when these fell out of use. I know for me I was issued with a Infantry cap badge following my QL3 back in 97 (until I got back to the unit and was issued my Stag's Head) But not collars I don't remember anyone else wearing them either.

[Phillip Herring]

Usually worn on DEU by trainees before being issued their regimental badges.
I believe they are still in use, however, I'm sure somebody will correct me if I am wrong.
I don't know who wears what anymore. When I went through Cornwallis, nobody wore branch insignia until they got to their occupational training. I don't know when infantry started wearing Infantry Branch insignia and at what stage or completion of their TQ3 they put up their regimental badges.
There may also be differences between regulars and reservists.

Phil

[Ian B]

Phillip,

I believe that the only ones wearing the Infantry Corps hat badge would be Regular Force officers who have not been badged to one of the three Regiments. From my time at the Infantry School, Reserve officers showing up for Phase II in the summer wore their Regiment's badges. However most Reg officers were going through RMC, so wore the college's hat badge. IIRC, there was only one time when they ran a direct entry course where the Reg For candidates did all the training courses bac-to-back. That is Phases (Ph) II, III and IV in the space of about nine months to a year. Reg For officers would wear the RMC or Infantry Corps badge until about the end of Ph III when they would be badged into the RCR, PPCLI or VanDoos.

I'm not aware of what badge Reg For officer cadets would wear at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidates School in Chilliwack.

Ian

[regimentalrogue]

Originally Posted by Ian B

I'm not aware of what badge Reg For officer cadets would wear at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidates School in Chilliwack.

If I recall correctly, it was the CF "cornflake" at CFOCS and the Infantry Corps badge once at the School of Infantry.

[ddaydodger]

Infantry recruits at 3 CDTC wear the infantry branch badge while partaking in DP 3 infantry training and the collars if available. This sets them apart from the recruits in PAT/PAR platoon who still wear the cornflakes. They get their regimental badges for the grad parade. The PRES is slightly different.

[Young Law]

These are in fact still worn. When I completed my BOTP at St Jean sur Richelieu (2008) and went back to university I dropped by NDHQ clothing stores for my Infantry Corps cap badge and was issued a set of crossed rifle collar badges. I wore them until I badged into The RCR (2010).

[Young Law]

I should also add that the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps also wears them (in addition to a cloth Infantry Branch cap badge).