Beret sized insignia for RAA Other Ranks

[Mark Corcoran]

Hello All!

Here are some simple 'snapshots' of the current issue period Royal Australian Artillery insignia set for Other Ranks. The undersized headdress badge shown below the hat badge, is the beret-sized item approved for wear by RAA Other Ranks. Note that the curent Army Dress Manual (ADM), indicates that Commissioned Officers are to use bullion badges when wearing a beret. N.B. A separate article on bullion beret badges for Officers can be posted later on.

For now, it probably suffices to say here, that 'bullion and metal' beret-sized insignia for wear by serving members of the RAA, have been recorded in various editions of the Australain Army's Dress Manuals for more than 50 years. For example, gilt metal ORs' beret badges with a 'King's Crown', can be seen in circultion at militaria fairs from time to time, as can KC versions of the bullion badges. Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish between Australian Army items and British Army issue items of the same type/size... and comparison images of the earlier period items and their 'pedigree', is probably a subject that would be worth discussion here???

Note also, that there are two variations of the post 1997 period ORs' collar badges featured in the attached images. As will be seen from those reference collection images, one collar badge variant is 'flat-backed' and the other variation is fully couter-struck.

Yours in research and collecting


Mark

Co-Author of "Metal Uniform Embellishments of the Australian Army"
Post 1953 (the 'QEII' era) Volumes 1 and 2