The Royal Yeomanry

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Possibly the ugliest badge in existence!

The Royal Yeomanry
Oct 2006 to the present day

This badge has been seen before, I have seen the same badge on ebay but with a Kings crown (possibly) or maybe the same coronet but without the scroll. Can anyone tell me what regiment the original version of this badge belonged to?

best regards
Griff M-J

[John Mulcahy]

Not a direct answere to your question I am afraid, but it it helps the following if taken from the regiment's web site...

The new capbadge is based upon the personal cypher of our Royal Honourary Colonel HRH Princess Alexandra, with the intertwined "A"s surmounted by her coronet

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by John Mulcahy

Not a direct answere to your question I am afraid, but it it helps the following if taken from the regiment's web site...

The new capbadge is based upon the personal cypher of our Royal Honourary Colonel HRH Princess Alexandra, with the intertwined "A"s surmounted by her coronet

Hi

Yes, fully aware of it origins I am an ex Royal Yeoman myself (B Sqn). Its the old badge that I am interested in ..... it was the same but without the scroll and was worn by a different regiment..... its the name of that other Regiment that I am interested in. Hopefully somebody has the book that shows the origional badge and the regiments name.

Best Regards
Griff M-J

[Alan O]

I think that there was a Indian Army Gurkha badge with the same CinC. Found it - 3rd Gurkha Rifles.

Alan

[cbuehler]

Whatever the significance of the design maybe, it remains a less than inspired design ( if this should be so kind an appraisal ).

CB

[GriffMJ]

Hi

Searching through the mystery badge section on the forum I found the badge that I had seen on ebay..... Alan had the correct regiment and I totally agree with CB..... I prefer the older badge myself. The new badge does not even have the A's crossed...... it really is horrible.

[sean michael cronin]

Definitely an uninspired badge, it wasn't until I saw the R Yeomanry site that it became clear the cypher was AA which lends itself to all kinds of abuse. Surely they could have used a more heraldic beast with a scroll Princess Alexanders own, or left the squadrons alone to wear matching badges and collars. Merry Christmas and all the best Sean.

[Jibba Jabba]

Its a badge design to satisfy all parties.

When designing a badge for a new regiment that has amalgamated its very difficult to satisfy the brass hats on each side who who argue until blue in the face if they think a badge design has had more inspiration from another regiment. So what you get in this case is a badge with little or no inspiration.

[GriffMJ]

Hi

The "real" reason for the introduction of this badge is because of Iraq. When the regiment sent two squadrons out there with men from the remaining squadrons also..... the Yanks got confused apparently (also our regulars to). They couldnt read our rank slides that said "Royal Yeomanry" and instead were confused by the different cap badges...... the Royal Yeomanry top brass got embarrased about this and instead of fighting their corner they decided to destroy the unique traditions of the Squadron Regiments....... as you can tell we are not really bitter & twisted about it

We still feel the better solution was putting the TRF flash onto our berets behind the badges..... that way we could be instantly recognised (like the Household & Guards).

[Jibba Jabba]

Can you explain the significance of the new design?

If there was a problem with identification why not wear the RAC cap badge in theatre and retain the original insignia?

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by Jibba Jabba

Can you explain the significance of the new design?

If there was a problem with identification why not wear the RAC cap badge in theatre and retain the original insignia?

There is no regimental significance to this design....... its the usual bland "corporate" choice from the usual bland Officers that made the choice.

The broad "chunter" amongst the rank & file would have been happy with a more equestrian badge..... something that reflected our collective yeomanry cavalry heritage.

The badge is the heraldic badge of Princess Alexandra...... an unheard of Royal that became honorary Colonel on the demise of the Queen Mum. Its a very "sicofantic" choice of badge.

BTW the badge was introduced "after" service in theatre....... all attached men that go out now wear the cap badge of the regiment they are attached to. So the RY badge has no real significance now anyway........ another pointless exercise and another nail in the coffin of the County Yeomanry. All modern Yeomanry regiments are now based on "District" and not County.

By losing the County identity, the whole ethos of the Yeomanry in its true sense is lost....... the way its going it wont be long before we see the M&S Regiment or the Household "Virgin Media" Cavalry. The regimental badge is a link to the past and the men that have gone before, losing that link .... especially for a Yeomanry..... is a hard thing to do.

[gilesosborne]

And the loss of HQ Sqn as Westminster Dragoons looses the old RTR connection, long held, with the black berets and coveralls

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by gilesosborne

And the loss of HQ Sqn as Westminster Dragoons looses the old RTR connection, long held, with the black berets and coveralls

yes indeed...... my father was a WD and hence my connection with the yeomanry and tanks. My boy will go into the Yeomanry as soon as he is of age..... he will be fully furnished with "County" history....... not Corporate history.

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

For those of you who dont know, the RY is issuing an "updated" Cypher badge, pictured below is the old type. The new type is smaller and better made for the O/Rs.

A new "regimental" button is being struck also, this will be in white metal with the new Cypher. Issue date is meant to be 2010...... but, as always, might be a little later (2012 we think).

[Alan O]

Griff,

very interesting. I don't suppose you have a spare old type?

Alan