Army Apprentice College Pipers Plaid Brooch post 1966

[Chris Walker]

Dear Friends.

I am trying to find a clear photo or similar image of a Army Apprentice College Pipers Plaid Brooch worn by the Pipe Band after the Regiment became the Army Apprentice College and badged Royal Signals in 1965/66.

I have attached a photo of the Regimental Band and Pipers dated April 1978. The Pipers can quite clearly be seen wearing the Plaid Brooch but the photo has been taken at some distance and hence I can not get a clear image.

I believe that the Brooch is very similar to the 32nd (Scottish) Signals Regiment (V) that came into being in 1967. A photo of their Plaid Brooch is also attached. It has Jimmy in the centre and the Chrome Quoit but has a void in the middle.

From the photo I have attached it looks like the Army Apprentice College which was previously called the Army Apprentice School until the change over in 1965 when the College became a single Royal Signals badged college.

The badge which is very similar to the 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment (V) and also the current Royal Corps of Signals Corps of Pipes and Drums but was worn before 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment (V) came into being in 1967. Seems to have the Jimmy on the Chrome quoit but there is no void in the middle. Perhaps this design may have been used by the Scottish Regiment.

I there is any member of the Forum who has one of these Non-Void Signals Plaid Brooches I would very much appreciate a site of one.

If I am incorrect in what I think from the attached Regimental photo perhaps someone can advise me.

With my kind regards

Chris Walker
www.signalsbadges.co.uk

[Mike H]

Hi Chris,i "might " be able to help with a good image ,i cant promise. I need to speak to a few people.
There werent that many pipers and you were classed as an outcast if you graduated with the band and not with the Senior squadron. When i left (Mar 83),there was 1 bandsman. He was told to wear No2s and drill with us or f. K off. He was the most junior guy,in what was the small graduation ever.

[Chris Walker]

Dear Mike

Many thanks. I would be m0ost grateful for your help.

Did the Band fold up??

I was actually in the Band as a Junior Leader in Denbury back in 1964. If you passed out you had to go through the passing out parade and not be part of the band.

Many thanks

Chris

[Mike H]

At Harrogate ,as far as i can recall . You had the choice,if you were DMaj or PMaj ,you had no choice.

[Mike H]

These may help. The PMaj is circa 1985,the other late 60s early 70s i believe

[Mike H]

A couple more for you Chris. Im told these are 1968.
I noticed that the rank badge was silver or white on green rather than black on red. I wonder what year that changed.
The brooch is different ,so that has changed too.

[aboode]

Originally Posted by Mike H

These may help. The PMaj is circa 1985,the other late 60s early 70s i believe

Do you know the name of this Pipe Major and unit?

[Chris Walker]

Oh Dear !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I had come up trumps with the name of the Plaid Brooch worn by Pipe Major John McKay at Harrogate in the attached photo from 1968.

John who is now the Treasurer of the Association Of Harrogate Apprentices has kindly just emailed me to say how sorry he was but for the life of him he can not remember what the Plaid Brooch was that he was wearing.

So sad as I thought I was on a winner. He will try and find some better photos but does not hold out much hope.

Don't know where to go now.

Cheers for now

Chris

[Drummajor]

Hello Chris, I have taken the colour out of this picture and enhanced it as much as I can.
The plaid brooch looks to have voids around the circumference of the quoit, this doesn't help much but I guess this rules out Clan Grant.

Hope you solve the mystery.

Phil.

[Chris Walker]

Dear Friends.

Not sure if this has answered my question about the Army Apprentice College Plaid Brooch as worn by John McKay back in 1968.

But have to day received a photo that throws an entry on my little web site out of the window.

I have received the attached photo of a Clan Grant Plaid Brooch (That I have not seen before.) as worn by the Pipe Major of the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Signals Pipe Band between 1962 and 1965. Definitely a Clan Grant Plaid Brooch with the burning tree and the motto Stand Fast on the circlet.

The burning tree looks very similar to the centre of the Harrogate plaid brooch. Still not sure though. Comments please.

What it has done is made a clearing mistake in my little web site. The Clan Grant I show for being the JLR Gant Plaid is really the more up to date Gurkha Siganls Pipe Band Plaid Brooch. Now I look at my site, the Plaid Brooch as worn by the Senior Pipe Sergeant Rod Mathieson in the black and white photo that I show really is the brooch sent to me in the photo of today.

Will now have to alter my site. I have attached photos that may be of interest to some members of the Forum regarding this Thread.

Best wishes

Chris Walker
www.signalsbadges.co.uk