Royal Signals Flash

[Tommo]

Ok my dad seems to remember that when he was in the army he saw a bloke wearing a 216 para sigs DZ flash except with the pathfinder Arrow in black in the middle of it, this was around '89 -'91 time.. Its not the 16 Sigs one he says.

Ive looked all over the web to find one like it but so far haven't, can any enlighten me and tell me if they know what Unit it is or something?

Regards
Rory

[Alan O]

There are 2 designs of 216 badge. The half blue and half white patch is the original and the current design. In the 1970s it was decided that the patch should be representative of Corps colours and a green strip was added. This did not last. There is an example in the Sqn's museum on the RSM's denison smock of the time.

The Pathfinder Platoon wore an arrow on the Bde HQ flash. In 5AB's day this was half green and maroon. 16 AA Bde now has a sky blue and maroon one with the black arrow.

I suspect his memory is mixing the 5 AB PF pl patch up with 216. A 216 patch with an arrow is not shown in any of the Sqn's history room's photos or momentos. 1988-91 was before TRFs and patches were widely worn as in that period it was generally a preserve of 5AB bde. It was only with the Gulf in 1991 that other units started wearing them again. 16 Sigs and the other Signals units did not start wearing them until Bosnia c1995-6.

[Tommo]

At first I asked him it was the 5AB Pathfinder flash but he said no, so I suspected it was the 16 Sig flash but it can't have been. He is probably getting mixed up, the only last badge I can seem to think it may have been was a TA sigs flash like 305 Sigs or 44 Para bde sigs.

[Alan O]

Very few RSIGNALS units were wearing patches in 1988-91 and this included the TA.

[grey_green_acorn]

Here are some 216 Para Sig Sqn and 5 Airborne Brigade Pathfinder DZ Flashes

[grey_green_acorn]

Here are 44 Para Bde Sig Sqn and 305 Sig Sqn DZ Flashes

[Tommo]

It has to of been the 5 AB Pathfinder flash with the white arrow.

Out of interest, does anyone know where I can get a 44 Sigs flash?

[Quicksilver]

Mention was made of a 216 Sig Sqn DZ flash in domestic colours. Here is an example. This is a genuine example and worn by a friend of mine. He says it was worn post Falklands aprox 1983 to 1985 by the then para signal squadron. The top left is 47 Middlesex Yeomanry and the bottom left is HQ and Signal Sqn but not sure of the date for that one.
As regards to the question of 44 Signal Squadron availability, quite a few have been turning up recently on ebay along with 305 Sig Sqn. One wonders if they are genuine as there have been none for years and suddenly several. If more turn up then I guess we will know the answer.
Rgds Quicksilver

[Alan O]

They all come from the same seller with a limitless supply. I would suggets that they are back in manufacture.

[Quicksilver]

Thanks for that advice Alan.
Quicksilver

[matti467]

I was with 31, 37 and 38 Sig Regts. I also did DTG and RTG courses with the regulars at Catterick and can say that I never saw flashes being worn especially amongst UKLF
Matti

[Tommo]

Thanks guys, regards to the sellers badges...well they are a little small and seem to made out of a ribbon like material.

[tynesideirish]

5 ABN Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron wore the Maroon over Green DZ Flash from 83-87.
I can't recall how many Royal Signals where in Pathfinder Platoon over that period, but at least one because I was on a Heavy DZ marking course with him. He wore their regimental Capbadge with PF Platoon DZ Flash.

So Rory's Dad could easily have seen a Para Sigs guy sporting a PF DZ Flash.

Info:Only PARA (and later Guards*) guys wore the Parachute Regiment capbadge in the Platoon.

*Historic reasons.

[Tommo]

Thanks guys.

Another badge my dad told me about was the Royal Sigs Spec OP strip. Apparantly he wore a black strip, roughly the same size as the Signals trf but Black. Can any tell me where I could aquire one?

[Quicksilver]

A number of squadrons and regiments had Spec Ops. Does your dad remember the location or the number of the unit? I am not aware of any special strip. Also what year would that have been?
BRgds
Quicksilver