REME WW2 Pattern in Nickel Plate?

[Jibba Jabba]

Does anyone know if the REME had a special badge in nickel plate during WW2? Perhaps men attached to the RAC?

Does anyone know anything about this?

Thank you in advance for replying.

My only reference to REME cap badges in nickel plate (sometimes chrome plate) is that it was a practice adopted by Old Comrades when wearing their berets on parade. Folk often forget that it is actually an offence to wear a current military cap badge when not under arms and Old Comrades avoided that by plating their badges - a subject covered a couple of weeks ago in relation to Parachute Regiment Old Comrades. Regards. David

[Jibba Jabba]

Thanks for the reply Dave. My knowledge of REME badges is small. What colour beret did the REME chaps wear? I thought if any it would be a khaki beret during war time?

The point regarding wearing military uniform and badges is not strict. A officer could apply to wear his uniform when not under arms and I know of at least one WW1 veteran who did this.

[Alan O]

I think you might be thinking about the w/m badges worn by attached units to the RAC. They wore the RTR black beret with a wm badge on it. The Pioneer Corps had a wm bagde made for 311 Pioneer Regt and others such as the RE had nickel plated badges. I can't remember the Bde identity but it was one of the specialist tank formations that was in France in 1944.

Bosleys sold a Pioneer badge for that formation last year.

Alan

[Jibba Jabba]

Ive got a group lot to a heavy recovery specialist to the REME who actually was responsible for getting most of the German tanks to Bovington in the UK. I was wondering if there was a specialist REME unit attached to te RAC that might of worn the nickel badge. If no one can confirm this then I`ll assume there was no such unit.

I do hear what everyone is saying but one thing is paramount : the metals of a prescribed head-dress badge could only be varied in very specific circumstances. For instance, the band could nickel plate or chrome plate their cap and collar badges to distinguish them from the main stream. The reason for this was that bands often included musicians who were not under arms and were 'hired' for their musical skills, not for their commitment to military service. REME did not have a Corps band. Having organised many Armistice and other parades of old comrades, I do know that many individuals had their own cap badges re-plated to permit the wearing of them on parade. Of course, many did not and continue to wear original (untouched) cap badges at such parades and a blind-eye is generally turned. This particular badge - the REME - has no authority to wear other than a brass cap badge. Regards to all. David

[Alan O]

David,

To be pedantic that is not quite correct as there was also the officially approved chocolate brown plastic one as well.

Alan

Alan - I believe you have emphasised my point - officially approved chocolate coloured plastic examples are, by definition, 'official' or prescribed. It is the unofficial or non-approved examples which seemed to appear by demobbed personnel or old comrades. Regards. David

[jeep]

[QUOTE=Jibba Jabba;19502]Does anyone know if the REME had a special badge in nickel plate during WW2? Perhaps men attached to the RAC?

Does anyone know anything about this?

I have never seen a full sized 1st pattern REME cap badge in nickle/chrome/wm, but see the pic for a collar dog. Presumably this would have been worn with a similar cap badge? If vets were to 'treat' cap badges would they go to the trouble of doing the same to a collar?
Also see attached pics of a RAOC badge. Any thoughts on this one?

I believe the point has been made on other threads - nickel plated regimental or corps badges were worn by Regimental Police in certain situations - maybe this is the answer to your REME badge ! Just a thought ! Regards. David

[Jibba Jabba]

I asked an old boy once about these. He said they were for dress?

Dave is sadly correct there is a very good REME web site which discusses the badges and there is no mention of a nickel plate.

I`m all about turning the mundane into something super sexy, shame I couldnt do it this time

[Peter Brydon]

Going off at a tangent, I have just found a picture of an old REME iniform I once owned, the brass cap badge is worn on a backing of coloured material the same colours as the REME arm of service strip.

P.B.