QARANC Not just any old Doris - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Charlie585 · #1 27-08-13, 03:06 PM

Hi Gents,

I was shopping for some mounting card this afternoon and whilst standing in line at the check out I noticed a lady in uniform (MTPs) who was sporting a TRF that I wasn't altogether familiar with.

It was very similar to that for the REs but had lighter coloured bands top and bottom so I was intrigued. We were just beginning to get used to seeing the Doris's come into the ranks at about the time I left the army many moons ago so I wondered if it might be a special for some branch of the corps.

I couldn't help myself and approached the lady in question to enquire about the badge when she left the shop. I'm pleased to say that she didn't mind at all and when I told her I was an ex Sapper that had turned 'Spotter' she said that she was often mistaken for a member of the RE's.

On the front of her Jacket though she had her rank badge and in large letters beneath it was the word QARANC which of course led the penny to drop. She was in fact a Warrant Officer and began then to question me on my knowledge of rank badges using hers as an example.

Now I have to admit that being an ex full screw I wasn't in the habit of lingering in the presence of those with God status any longer than was necessary and was not accustomed either to stand staring at their rank badges for prolonged periods whilst in their presence.
Anyway in answer to the question at hand I got as far as recognising it as WO1 but stumbled at the presence of the wreath surrounding it, conductor sprung to mind but I didn't offer that answer choosing instead to stand in perplexed silence whilst the good lady introduced herself as nothing less than the Corps RSM

I resisted the urge to get my heels together as I would have done back in the day but did address her by her correct title when I told her that I was pleased to meet her and thanked her for her time.

A pleasant distraction from my shopping trip and certainly not just any old Doris!

Here is a link to the badge Marc's excellent TRF album, an album that I might have done well to study in more detail, then again if I'd done that I wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting a Lady God whilst out shopping this afternoon

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=36423

Regards to all.

Ry

54Bty · #2 27-08-13, 04:27 PM

I take it you did not have a picture taking device in your pocket?

Marc

Charlie585 · #3 27-08-13, 05:10 PM

Hi Marc,

I did have my camera phone on me but thought it would have been a bit of a liberty to start taking photos and I'm sure the lady in question had better things to do than spend all day in a car park chatting to me.

If I bump into her again I'll ask if she minds if I make her right arm famous

Ry

wright241 · #4 27-08-13, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie585

Hi Marc,

I did have my camera phone on me but thought it would have been a bit of a liberty to start taking photos and I'm sure the lady in question had better things to do than spend all day in a car park chatting to me.

If I bump into her again I'll ask if she minds if I make her right arm famous

Ry

Ry, Had you done so, it might have made your day more interesting..... David