40 Signal Regiment Track Suit Badge?

[blackie131]

Hi,
Picked this up a while ago on E-bay, the problem is no one has seen one before.
I believe its a Track suit badge.
What does everyone else think?

[grey_green_acorn]

I would say it is a Track Suit badge. Here is an example of a "standard" Royal Signals Track Suit badge in my album http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=19785

[Chris Walker]

Dear Blackie

This is indeed a track suit badge.

It will become increasingly rare especially in this condition as the 40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment (V) no longer exists in it's own right. All that is left is 69 (NIH) Signal Squadron (V) and they are now part of 32 Signal Regiment (V).

Even this Regiment has lost the prefix (Scottish) as some Squadrons are in England.

Cheers

Chris Walker

[Pretani]

It's not one that I've ever seen worn "in anger". The badge of choice for 40 on sports kit, or T shirts, was usually based on the "winged XL". This design was not even used on the Regiment's wall plaques for all of its history. I suspect this may be a one off or a manufacturer's sample.

[blackie131]

I've seen the winged XL badge, on their pipe banners and some T-shirts.
Thats why this one had me confused.

The only thing I seen like this from 40 was an early Wall Plaque, that has the Red hand and Cross on it and the jimmy in the top right corner. Haven't seen one like it since.

[Pretani]

Indeed, as you say, this was used in wall plaques.

The Corps colours with the Jimmy, XL and Red Hand was the original plaques design. The wall plaque design was then changed to that of the Northern Ireland flag (ie the defaced St George's cross bearing the Red Hand, white star and crown, not the Ulster provincial flag) with a Jimmy in the Upper quadrant.

The Corps colours with the Jimmy, XL and Red Hand was then reintroduced as a plaque design by a CO who preferred it.

[Pretani]

Chris,

For info, there is an ongoing "discussion" with regards to what the title of the NI based Sig Sqn should be. This centres on whether the Sqn should be numbered as 69 or as 40 (thereby following the convention adopted by other Sqns who were once Regts in their own right). If it were to be the latter, then the argument continues that the Tps should be numbered to reflect the old Sqns, ie 866, 869 and 885.

There is also another debate as to whether the honourific title should be "NIH" or "Ulster".

Mike

[blackie131]

It wil be interesting to find if the Squadron will lose the NIH honnors of wearing the maple leaf, NIH badges, belt buckle and buttons if they change the title to Ulster.

[Chris Walker]

Dear Mike.

Very many thanks for the information regarding the name of (Ulster) and (NIH).

I was unaware that there was any ongoing discussion as to whether the name (Ulster) should be kept or even the thought of replacing the (NIH).

What I am pretty sure of Mike is that a past Officer Commanding 69 (NIH) Signal Squadron (V) namely John Pinkerton who was OC from 1979 to 85 was fiercely defencive of the name North Ireland Horse. I made a mistake when ommitting the Squadron once and he put me right in no uncertain manner.

Officially I have only seen the name 69 (NIH) in MOD publications and 32 Signal Regiment (V) squadron breakdowns. Interesting to see what the outcome might be.

Many thanks

Chris

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Chris Walker

What I am pretty sure of Mike is that a past Officer Commanding 69 (NIH) Signal Squadron (V) namely John Pinkerton who was OC from 1979 to 85 was fiercely defencive of the name North Ireland Horse. I made a mistake when ommitting the Squadron once and he put me right in no uncertain manner.
Chris

I think you should expect another 'in no uncertain manner' message for calling them the North Ireland Horse, (North Irish Horse).

Marc

[Chris Walker]

Dear Marc

I stand corrected NIH North Irish Horse. Typo. I would not of put and have not put the former on my web site.

Cheers

Chris

[Pretani]

Chris,

As of last week the Sqn have been told by RHQ 32 Sig Regt(V) to call themselves 40 Sig Sqn.

Mike.

[Chris Walker]

Dear Mike.

Is this really true ???????? Not more 69 (NIH) ??????

40 Signal Squadron I can understand with the ending of 40th Signals Regiment.

A lot of History lost in removing 69 North Irish Horse as a name me thinks !!!!

Will this new name appear on MOD sites in future Mike???

Thanks for the info

Chris

[54Bty]

At least the name will live on, not sure about any badges;
B (North Irish Horse) Squadron The Queen’s Own Yeomanry.

Marc

[Pretani]

Chris,

On the MOD Website there's still an element of catch-up going on.
For example, you can still access a limited 40 Sig Regt(V) site here; and one for 69 Sqn here.

And, just to confuse matters, the last time I checked there are two 40 Sig Sqn webpages detailing the Tp at Caw Camp here and the remainder of the Sqn, at the main location at Clonaver Park, here.

There are issues as well as to whether there will be an honorific title for 40 Sig Sqn or not and, if there is to be one, whether it will be "NIH" or "Ulster".

Mike