Rarest Badge? Airborne RAC capbadge

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by Alan O

Is that not the same beret and badge from post 1.

Thats the same badge Alan..... its the uniform in the museum.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Hussar100

Queen's Own Hussars?

That looks more like a 3rd KOH arm badge to me.
David

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by wright241

That looks more like a 3rd KOH arm badge to me.
David

It is....

[Hussar100]

Originally Posted by 3748 Hussar

Hi All

Here he is wearing his 3rd hussar cap badge

http://www.thequeensownhussars.co.uk/images/jdg002.JPG

3748 Hussar

You know I thought 3rd Hussars when I first saw the pics of the BD but the Para Sqn wasn't formed until 65 (if I'm not wrong) so I thought it couldn't be. That's why I said QOH.

[Malcolm Davey]

Originally Posted by wright241

That looks more like a 3rd KOH arm badge to me.
David

3rd The KOH David
Malc

[Hussar100]

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

It is....

How come it's on a Para Sqn BD then Griff? 3H & 7H amalgamated in 58 during the Sandys cuts. Unless it was a retained distinction, which is what I thought it was?

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by Hussar100

How come it's on a Para Sqn BD then Griff? 3H & 7H amalgamated in 58 during the Sandys cuts. Unless it was a retained distinction, which is what I thought it was?

No idea? ..... the photo is of the uniform held at the museum. There are some notes underneath it ..... but its just a bit out of focus unfortunately.

[Hussar100]

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

No idea? ..... the photo is of the uniform held at the museum. There are some notes underneath it ..... but its just a bit out of focus unfortunately.

Can't read it mate. Best guess though is that it was worn as a rank distinction by NCO's. Most cavalry units didn't have a single stripe for l/cpl (courtesy of Queen Victoria) so in BD's, No2's and other dress uniforms a rank distinction was worn above the stripes for cpl and above. It varied (and varies still) from an emblem or cipher with a long term association with the regiment; or its antecedents in the case of amalgamated regiments.

I've Googled but can't find any QOH pictures showing that badge on sleeves but what I did find was interesting.

In December 1945 the 3rd Hussars were selected to be the Reconnaissance Regiment for the only Airborne Division being retained in the Post War Army and thus moved to Sarafond in Palestine to join their Division.

http://www.qohmuseum.org.uk/3rd.htm

So there are two options:

1. They wore para insignia in 1943 as 3H.
2. It was a retained distinction for the QOH after amalgamation.

[Alan O]

Option 3.

The wearer retained his 3H arm badge after transferring to the airborne from the 3H. As he made his own cap badge, this minor transgression of regulations is quite plausible.

[GriffMJ]

My guess is a Recce specialist Hussars Sgt (employed and qualified Airborne) ...... in typical Cav' style ....did his own thing

[3748 Hussar]

Hi All

If my memory serves me correctly sketchley kid served with Sergeant J.H. Barkway or knew him Very well .

Maybe he can add his spin

Regards

Tony C

[Alan O]

Option 4 he was in 6th armd Recc where he made the badge. In 1946 he is transferred to 3H and it from post war that the tunic dates. Both presented to the museum who disply the tunic not appreciating that the tunic is badged for post 1946.

From the airborne website:

On 1 February 1946 the 6th Airborne Armoured Recce Regt RAC was disbanded. Most of the personnel were transferred to the 3rd King's Own Hussars, which became an (Airborne) Recce Regiment

[Hussar100]

A little more research and changing the search terms gives me the answer.

It's a 3H rank badge worn above the stripes.

QOH did have the same policy but wore the regimental cypher of 7H above stripes.

I doubt very much he wore that BD as part of the Para Sqn because:

1. Amalgamation was 1958 and the RSM would have done a merry dance on the head of anyone still wearing 3H or 7H distinctions 7 years later.
2. Para Sqn wouldn't have worn BD's they'd have worn Dennison smocks - wouldn't they?

[3748 Hussar]

Another pic

http://www.thequeensownhussars.co.uk/images/jdg001.JPG

Originally Posted by 3748 Hussar

Hi All

Here he is wearing his 3rd hussar cap badge

http://www.thequeensownhussars.co.uk/images/jdg002.JPG

3748 Hussar

[Hussar100]

Originally Posted by 3748 Hussar

Another pic

http://www.thequeensownhussars.co.uk/images/jdg001.JPG

Don't recognise that getup. Is that Yeomanry?