Dog Handlers badge

[Sonofacqms]

Some years ago, I bought a collection of badges and other items which had belonged to an Rifleman from the Greenjackets, among them was the tiny red enamelled paw badge which was worn unoffically I think by dog handlers.

I saw somewhere, maybe on this forum that there were these paw badges in different colours for different branches of the services, does any forum member have any information about this badge, as to whether it is now official and issued to different units in varying colours or is this just fantasy?

[GriffMJ]

I have three of my fathers, Red Paw, Orange Paw & White Paw.

There is a thread on the forum about these...... "Dog Handlers" Red was for Ulster..... White was RAF Police? Cant remember what the orange one was for now.

There are other variations I believe...

I was a bit too young to take notice of them when they came out...... but i have them in my Trilby now..... as my father wore them in his.

[Eddie Parks]

"The Red Paw of Ulster"

Forget the date (c 1975?) but designed by the wife of GOC NI for Northern ireland Dog Handlers. Signifies animals who have walked on broken glass to save soldiers' lives.

Worn in the beret alongside unit cap badge.

Eddie

[2747andy]

This was a "Special Embellishment" authorised for wear by soldiers of the above unit, made up from service personell from a range of parent units or "Cap Badges". Granted by Commander Land Forces NI in Dec1974. Measuring approx 5mm high it was worn on the left and level with the top of the normal cap badge (whatever Regt)- The badge is gilt with red enamel and a pin fitting. Originally only authorised for wear in NI by members on established strength of ADU and only when part of that unit. It was worn by Dog Handlers of other NI based units "unofficially". I have an original red one and also a sand coloured example. I expect it has been adopted more widely in recent years!

Andy

[GriffMJ]

Our Labrador "Bran" was posted to NI whilst we were in Hong Kong c1978-80...... his handler was a QDG Soldier (Welsh Speaking) as Bran could only understand Welsh commands He found a few nasties whilst on Tour.... and he even picked up a "nail Bomb" and tried to retrive it back to his handler (Twpsyn!!)..... who was legging it the other way and shouting the command "lawr!"! We got him back in 1980.... in one piece I am glad to report.

BTW, it would have been Brigadier John Spurry MRCVS OBE who would have given permission for this badge to exist (or at least worn).

[54Bty]

This may help:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=21558

The NI badge was replaced by the cloth version in 1997, being approved by the Army Dress Committee in 1998. Now I believe worn by all Dog Handlers.

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

This may help:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=21558

The NI badge was replaced by the cloth version in 1997, being approved by the Army Dress Committee in 1998. Now I believe worn by all Dog Handlers.

Thanks for that...... now I know exactly what they are after all these years

[Sonofacqms]

Many thanks chaps for your information, 54 I knew I'd seen it somewhere, I forgot it is a trade badge.

[Snowdrop 68]

Hi,

I have 3 of these paw badges, White (Cyprus), Black (RAF Honington Nuclear Security) and Black/Red/Yellow (RAF Germany). I was a dog handler in the RAF Police in Germany 1990 - 1993 and these were worn as lapel badges or tie tacs. There is also a Lt Blue one for UN duties
Regards
Bill

[revdougal]

And here's another version used over the years:- red=N Ireland (and all UK?), white=Cyprus,yellow/orange=HongKong,blue=MOD Police (even as a Met tie-pin),green=jungle,and black=SAS.
Apparently it was a Col Keith Morgan-Jones (d.c1985) who saw to the "institution" of this badge. I believe the badges were at one time all made in HK.

[GriffMJ]

Originally Posted by revdougal

Apparently it was a Col Keith Morgan-Jones (d.c1985) who saw to the "institution" of this badge. I believe the badges were at one time all made in HK.

My Father
The two paws below are his:-


Permission was granted, for the Paws, by Brig. John Spurrey MRCVS, OBE, RAVC

[David Tremain]

There's an illustration of the red paw in Hodges' book in the RAVC section.

[wardog]

There was a thread back in April regards a photograph of a new dog unit but i'm having problems finding it. Regards, Paul.

[sapper533]

yes I agree with the last contributer, red NI, white Cyprus, yellow Hong Kong, Black SAS/special forces, Dark Blue MOD Police and also pale blue attached UN, somewhere at home I have a letter from the QM at Melton Mowbray outlining the above but commenting that most were probably worn un-officially apart from NI

[Macrae]

I was given some of these and i was told. Red NI , Green Jungle, Yellow Hong Kong, Light Blue UN , White RAF Police ? . Black SAS i have shown this a few who have doen selection and passed and they have never heard of it nor would confirm . I think I have 6 no use to me why I took them is beyond me perhaps because they was there.

Dan