Tank Qualified Badge

[Bill A]

I recently acquired this example of the qualified tanker badge. It is in bullion wire for wear on the blue patrol's uniform. The badge was removed from official use in 1943, but many armoured soldiers had an attachment to the badge and had examples such as this made up for wear.

[Jibba Jabba]

Nice badge. There are a great many photos of the cloth and bullion badges being worn by the British Tank Corps, RTC and RTR. I`ll take your word for it that this is a Canadian badge, I wouldnt know the difference.

Sadly Ive yet to find photographic evidence of the metal arm badges being worn. I would dearly love to see an original to compare against the millions of reproductions. The nearest Ive come to finding one is the one I posted to the British section with blades.

[Bill A]

Not 100% sure that this is Canadian. The British army and other Commonwealth armies used this badge, and it may very well have come from any of these sources. I don't know if the British and Canadian issued examples are "nationally" distinguishable.

[54Bty]

The badge is still worn by all members of the Royal Tank Regiment on Blue Patrols, Number 1 Dress, Number 10 Dress and the worsted version on Number 2 Dress.

Current badges;

Wire embroidered.
Worsted.
Anodised aluminium gold worn on Number 6 and 7 Dress and by some Provost Sgts.
Brass as for aa above.

[Bill A]

Thanks 54Bty. The sleeve badge was taken out of Canadian use in 1943/44.

[Jibba Jabba]

Bill I think your badge is WW2, on the post war badges the barrel of the gun points slightly upward.

[Bill A]

Thanks Jibba Jabba. The reverse of the patch shows age as well. It has been removed from a uniform.

[Jibba Jabba]

Sadly the WW2 badge in khaki is currently being faked in Pakistan manufactured from heavy wool.

[rubicon]

The tank sleeve badge has been introduced in the Tank Corps after the corps has been created in July 1917. It is not a trade badge and you do not get more money for wearing this patch! The MKI tank design has been introduced by Colonel Swinton to creat an "esprit de corps" to the new unit. It was worn on the right arm between the elbow and the shoulder. The first patterns were made of metal but soon embroidered patterns were introduced. Until the end of the 30's the barrel of the gun was straight. in 1939 when the war broke out a new design was introduced with the barrel some degrees upward I have seen many exemples of this patern on WWII BD and officer SD. It was obviously worn by personels of the RTR but also by the Westminster Dragoons. This pattern is still wear today by personel of the RTR, I have seen few wire embroidered pattern last year worn by active officers of the 3rd British Division at Dday's ceremonies. To complicate the matter the barrels of their guns were straight!!!!
The pattern shown by Bill is the Blue Patrol dress pattern. This dress was worn before the WWII but its use was stopped in 1939 for economy reason. It was not re introduced before 1953 for the Queen coronation. So I doubt this one shown by Bill would be WWII made. I think it could be pre war or post war made.
I do not know why the Canadians took out their Tank badges in 1943 but maybe Bill can explains this?
Cheers.
J-F

[guest_000]

Did you know this badge was in use as late as 1966 at the tank corps school CAMP BORDEN by cadre . I observed this myself as a young soldier

PAUL

[fearnaught]

Hi, do you have an image of the first metal arm badges used prior to the cloth arm badge?And do you know how long they were worn?

[Bill A]

Does any forum member have an authentic WW1 era tank badge? An image would be most welcome.

First Official issue· Re-introduced in 1920
tank1.jpg

2nd official issue of November 1917·
Made obsolete in 1920
tank2.jpg

silver wire Officers 1919
tank3.jpg

Canadian made
tank4.jpg

SHOULDERS TITLE 19716. QMG7 1917·
Standard pattern deposited 21/10/17·
Ref 9701 / 1917·
WO 359 / 16 page 83·
Made obsolete 11/ ?/17
tank5.jpg

[Bill A]

Thanks for the images Peter. Very useful.
Regarding the comment on the "first official issue", are there any characteristics that distinguish it from later issues? That pattern appears to be the same as the issue for the Second World War.
I was shown a tunic from the Canadian Cavalry Bde, with the tank badge on it. The fellow never made it to France/Flanders, but was apparently training at Bovington.

[fearnaught]

Hi, what slip-ons did it have and do you have a photo of the tank badge? Also would Peter's Canadian tank badge be the same style as the metal badge mentioned before?