The Troubles

[leigh kitchen]

I think that's the LI badge.
Cuneo painted "The Leeson Street Patrol", portraying " R" Coy 3 RGJ involved in an incident on the Street in 1971.
In the painting RGJ are shown wearing unpainted badges.
Had another look at the photo. beginning to look like Para Regt, RA, I 'll keep quiet.

[Mike Jackson]

I think that's the LI badge.

Having fiddled around with the image I think you are correct - 2 LI were in Belfast Mar - Jul 73. Mike

[leigh kitchen]

All before my time.......

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

...........1RWF's predecessors as Garrison Bn in 'Derry were 1R Anglian - I'll check with a veteran of their tour re. that units use of blackened badges.........

An ex - 1 R Anglian provided this info re use of blackened badges by that unit via the 71 - 72 tour:
"No not at start of the tour it probably started towards the back end of the tour when the shootings became more intense. All tours after that the black badges were adopted."

[Frank Kelley]

So were they simply painting their own badges or were they actually made as early as this?

[leigh kitchen]

Enquires via a go between, answer pending, but around 1972 I should think they'll be painted by the unit.

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

So were they simply painting their own badges or were they actually made as early as this?

Reply received -
"Nothing too high tech - they were all painted by hand"

[grey_green_acorn]

See post number 4

Tim

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

I wore an anodised aluminium cap badge painted black with Humbrol paint in Belfast in 1971-72. I still have it!

Tim

Humbrol Matt Black modelling paint was the favoured application in PHC1 Castlereagh in 1973! Mike

[leigh kitchen]

An ex-officer of 1 R Anglian has told me that the unit was still painting badges itself in 1980.

I recently gave away hundreds of old "Military Modeling" and other magazines stored in the garage for decades. Apart from anything else useful on insignia and uniform of the 70's - 90's there would be adverts for the sale of manufacturer blackened aluminium cap badges, the first appearance of these adverts would presumably give an indication of when the badges first came onto the market.

[REMEVMBEA1]

* 4 Apr - 27 Aug 70: Northern*Ireland, Londonderry *
* 20 Mar - 26 Apr 71: Northern*Ireland, Londonderry *
* 16 Aug to 14 Sep 71: Northern*Ireland, Ballykelly *
* Feb 1972 - Northern Ireland. Magilligan

I can't say I ever took much notice as most people were wearing helmets but I know that we in and attached to 5 Lt Regt RA didn't blacken badges.

[leigh kitchen]

Don't really add a lot but:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=79394


http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...lackened+badge

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

My late older brother was with 1RWF for that tour. I think that the black badges probably began as part of the preparation for Operation MOTORMAN.

3RRF were shipped in to 'Derry for Motorman, I've seen photos and footage.of them at that time in Bogside wearing unpainted badges with hackles.