Royal Artillery 1980 - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

mike_vee · #1 22-07-23, 12:34 PM

While loooking for something else I discovered this badge that I wore in Belfast over 40 year ago !

I remember painting it black (paint from motor pool) , snapping off the slider and stitching it onto my beret.

It's a bit worse for wear (just like me) but it did bring back some memories.

.

grenadierguardsman · #2 22-07-23, 04:20 PM

Nice one.
Andy

Home Guard · #3 22-07-23, 04:26 PM

A truly awesome and beautiful treasure due to your story that goes with it!!!

Terry

Hawthorn · #4 22-07-23, 04:32 PM

Mike

Nice to find it again I'm sure, when still wearing the beret on Op Banner we used the parkerising paint from the Armourers shop to blacken our Cap Stars. mine long lost I'm afraid.

Simon.

Toby Purcell · #5 25-07-23, 12:15 PM

Reminiscent of long nights of happy ‘lurking’…. Not to mention ‘ballooning’ in doorways.

Home Guard · #6 25-07-23, 03:50 PM

Toby, love seeing your pictures. I have to think that would have been scary duty, and I tip my hat to you, and all others who served in NI!

Terry

mike_vee · #7 25-07-23, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

Reminiscent of long nights of happy ‘lurking’…. .

..........followed by an egg banjo and a hot brew !

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Toby Purcell · #8 25-07-23, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_vee

..........followed by an egg banjo and a hot brew !

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In the char wallah’s shop where he slept on a bunk bed behind his hotplate, alongside shelves stacked with toothpaste and Mars Bars. Bizarrely I can recall distinctly that he was from Birmingham, but born in Afghanistan and he told me that his grandfather used to shoot at British soldiers in the Khyber Pass. I vividly remember him in his ankle length kurta and ancient leather flip flops and can imagine in my mind his son or grandson being groomed into ISIS/DAESH. And so the pendulum swings…

jeep · #9 26-07-23, 06:55 AM

Here's mine 1976 vintage. The Maze, Portadown and Lurgan.

mike_vee · #10 26-07-23, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

In the char wallah’s shop where he slept on a bunk bed behind his hotplate, alongside shelves stacked with toothpaste and Mars Bars.

You've nailed it !

It didn't matter what time , day or night , you came in from op/patrol you could always get a brew and freshly cooked 'snacks'.

.

Toby Purcell · #11 27-07-23, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_vee

You've nailed it !

It didn't matter what time , day or night , you came in from op/patrol you could always get a brew and freshly cooked 'snacks'.

.

Indeed. Your blackened badge has reminded me that the Grand Central Hotel had become the military hub for the security of Belfast City centre, with the RA permanently providing its garrison via roulement. From there they manned all the security turnstiles and gateways into the city assisted by bag and body searchers from the WRAC and Green Finches.

mike_vee · #12 27-07-23, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

Indeed. Your blackened badge has reminded me that the Grand Central Hotel had become the military hub for the security of Belfast City centre, with the RA permanently providing its garrison via roulement. From there they manned all the turnstiles and gateways into the city assisted by WRAC and Green Finches.

I was in the Ardoyne , based at Flax Street Mill !

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Toby Purcell · #13 27-07-23, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_vee

I was in the Ardoyne , based at Flax Street Mill !

.

Know it and completed 6-months there too. Also recall particularly a tour at North Howard Street Mill spanning the Bobby Sands hunger strikes. Divis Flats and Falls Road a constant flashpoint throughout. 1 RWF awarded a significant haul of decorations that attracted the attention of many across the MOD and Buckingham Palace (Queen was regiments Colonel in Chief). It was a time of blackened cap badges across the whole province. Not long after there was a switch to helmets.

Home Guard · #14 27-07-23, 04:59 PM

Totally not badge related, but what is an "egg banjo" please? Was that something unique to serving in NI?

Terry

Toby Purcell · #15 27-07-23, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Home Guard

Totally not badge related, but what is an "egg banjo" please? Was that something unique to serving in NI?

Terry

It was soldier slang for a piping hot fried egg in a soft bap roll Terry. Sunny side up or down, or popped, depending on preference and the circumstances in which you were going to have to eat it.