What is This Patch

[Home Guard]

Can anybody tell me what this patch is (see the red arrow)? I am suspecting it is some kind of Scottish patch, but in my search I came up empty handed.



Thanks for any help,

Terry

[Alex Rice]

The winged caduceus staff is the same as the RAF medical collar badge, so maybe an RAF medic?

[mike_vee]

I also think RAF , this thread on GMIC forum may interest you :

Anyone interested in Medical insignia collecting??


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[Guzzman]

The cross shown has nothing to do with Scotland. It is known as the 'Cross of Life' and is increasingly replacing the Geneva Red Cross worn by medics. It is not only worn by Armed Forces medics but also by civilian paramedics.

Re the staff and serpent symbol. There is often confusion between the Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius. Caduceus is a symbol with a short staff entwined by two serpents , sometimes surmounted by wings while the Rod of Asclepius is the one with a single snake. Both have their origins in ancient Greek mythology.

The Caduceus has actually got nothing to do with medicine and healing at all. It is actually a symbol of professionalism and craft. The Rod of Asclepius IS a symbol of healing. The two have been confused throughout history!

I can't tell you anything about the badge itself as I'm a Royal Navy collector. But I've already seen a similar design being worn by Medical Technicians in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Pete

[mike_vee]

Saw the photo on another site , it is labeled :

RAF TMW DARTS personnel :

Royal Air Force

Tactical Medical Wing

Deployable Aeromedical Response Team Squadron.

ROYAL AIR FORCE - TACTICAL MEDICAL WING (TMW) BADGES


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[mike_vee]

Another one for you Terry.

[Chacal]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

The Caduceus has actually got nothing to do with medicine and healing at all. It is actually a symbol of professionalism and craft.

The Caduceus is also a symbol of commerce and trade leading to it's use on the Customs insignia of a number of countries, particularly in eastern Europe.

Graham

[dragon166]

Terry, your pictured badge is the official badge for a Paramedic. Seee the attached pic.
Dave

[mike_vee]

Thank you , my guesses were based on Google so it's better to have proper information.


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[Home Guard]

Thank you all VERY much! This is truly EXCELLENT information, and yep several new badges to hunt down! Actually, I need both patches shown in my picture in the opening post!!!

Terry

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

The cross shown has nothing to do with Scotland. It is known as the 'Cross of Life' and is increasingly replacing the Geneva Red Cross worn by medics. It is not only worn by Armed Forces medics but also by civilian paramedics.

Re the staff and serpent symbol. There is often confusion between the Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius. Caduceus is a symbol with a short staff entwined by two serpents , sometimes surmounted by wings while the Rod of Asclepius is the one with a single snake. Both have their origins in ancient Greek mythology.

The Caduceus has actually got nothing to do with medicine and healing at all. It is actually a symbol of professionalism and craft. The Rod of Asclepius IS a symbol of healing. The two have been confused throughout history!

I can't tell you anything about the badge itself as I'm a Royal Navy collector. But I've already seen a similar design being worn by Medical Technicians in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Pete

Bit of an old post, but yes the star of life is now worn by RFA Medical Technicians! it replaced the Red Cross badge when they were re-designated from being Medical Assistants in about 2003ish, however the RN still continue to use the red cross for its Medical Assistants and a smaller version for qualified, registered nurses. The red cross is still very much used on medics brassards and arm bands and on flags, as it is a recognised medical symbol under the Geneva convention and affords protection (supposedly!) The rod of Asclepius in laurel leaves is now used by the army as a paramedic qualification badge, but was previously worn by Regimental Medical Assistants (of corps and regiments outside the RAMC) worn on the upper arm, and by Unit First Aid Instructors on the lower arm/cuff, Combat Medical Technicians of the RAMC wore no trade or qualification badge, and were/are not paramedics, that title being legally protected by the NHS for people who have qualified for a paramedical science degree and are professionally registered as paramedics, which the army started recruiting a couple of years ago, the RAF started recruiting a decade ago and the RN still do not yet recruit as a trade! I qualified as a Regimental Medical Assistant in the Infantry at the then RAMC depot, Keogh Barracks in 1990, and as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Petty Officer Medical Technician in 2005 (having completed the full RN Medical Assistants course) also at Keogh Barracks, which had become the tri service Defence Medical Services Training Center.

Regards

Tony

[Home Guard]

Tony,

Some excellent info there!!! Many thnaks,

Terry