Modern Army Motorcycles Riders & Insignia???

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

So a topic I know zero about and wanted to tap the memberships knowledge. I have a small 'vintage' Motor Cycle Despatch Rider photo/insignia collection (see albums) but having been out of the UK for many a year now, I was wondering if the British Army of today is still using Motorcycle Despatch Riders and if so does anyone know if they have insignia to represent this?

Cheers,

Roy

Hi Roy, nice post.
I have a winged-wheel cloth WWII badge with DR. Clearly it's for a despatch rider but I was wondering just who (Army) might have worn it. I've come up with Military Police, Royal Signals and that's about it. I don't think Infantry battalions or Recce would have worn it and wondered if anyone else on here had any other ideas?
Ken

[Roy]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for that mate. Would love to see your patch? I have a few of the 'winged wheel' type patches (album below). These seem for the most part to date from the WWII period.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=3602


As well as Signals and Military Police, the Royal Engineers would be another good bet. Not to mentioned a Despatch Rider being 'attached' to just about any unit that needed them.

These patches appear to be unofficial and privately (or unit) purchased and have incredible variety.

It was looking at my small collecting that made me wonder if the modern Army is still using Despatch Riders and became curious (if so) what if any insignia was being used today.

Cheerio,

Roy

[54Bty]

As far as I know there is no modern version of the badge. I do know that Mortor cycles were used (maybe still are) in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal Logistic Corps, and Royal Military Police.

Marc

Roy,
I (always) bow to Marc's greater knowledge than mine. He's helped me out with his knowledge far too many times! Good calls as to who might also have worn it on your part though. I'm guessing all Army, Corps, Div and Brigades had dedicated despatch riders, so as well as the usual suspects (as you point out) it's a possibility that anyone in this role could have worn them?
Mine is in your album, top row, second in from the left as you look at it.
Ken

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Roy

I was wondering if the British Army of today is still using Motorcycle Despatch Riders

Let me see if I can add a little to you question. As I posted before Motor Cycles were used, but, not necessarily Despatch Riders. The RCT (RLC) and RMP used them for Traffic control and convoy escorts. In the RA the MC was supposed to be used by the Battery Sergeant Major, however this rarely happened, I used mine during my later years as part of the Gun Position Recce party, also leading the Guns onto the position. During Radio Silence delivering Battle Orders, Fire Plans and the like between the Regiment, Brigade, Division, and Corps HQs. No special badge.

I hope this helps.

Marc

[Rob Miller]

I was under the impression that there was no official regular use of motorcycles with the British Army anymore, I'm not sure if it was a result of an all diesel policy or more of a health and safety issue, I think there may still be quad bikes however.

Rob

[Mike_2817]

There is/was a military diesel motorcycle, based on the Kawasaki KLR650, 580cc called the Combat Military Motorcycle used by the US Army & Marine Corps which saw limited use by the British Army in the RMP & RLC.

I last saw one at the RLC Open Day at Deepcut a few years ago for military escort duties strapped to the back of an Oskesh semi-trailer.

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Sorry for my late reply, been out all day.

Great to see all of the discussion on this thread and although it's sad to hear that for the most part it looks like motorcycles are no longer in service, it's also good to learn a lot more about this topic.

I remember seeing bikes back in the 80's but must confess didn't pay too much attention, so it's nice to hear more about the modern perspective on this topic.

Cheers,

Roy

[badjez]

You can also include the Home Guard. Somewhere I used to have a photo of a group of HG motorcyclists, and their civilian bikes, all line up near Luton. Sorry, I cannot find where it is currently stored!

Stephen.

[engr9266]

If I remember correctly we had M/C in the Royal Engineers during my service 1969-1993. I cannot recall the actual use but likely convoy escort, site recce's, passing messages etc. I think the bike was a Can Am Bombardier similar to the photo. There may have been other makes like Triumph etc. but.....
No arm badge was worn.
Jerry

[Roy]

Hi Jerry,

The 'Bombardier' that's the one I remember, couldn't think of the name yesterday. I recall seeing them with those big plastic rifle cases on. I heard lots of negative comments about their reliability etc. but honestly can't comment, just gossip at the time.

Cheers,

Roy

[54Bty]

The mention of the Can-Am Bombardier reminded me that the Royal Air Force also had them. Most of my spares came from them as are resupply was crap.

Marc

[Rob Miller]

After the Bombardier there was the Armstrong MT500 and then the "Harley Davidson" MT350 which is the one with plastic gun case on the side, both of these used Rotax engines. The Military police also used the Honda Pan-European, I don't know what they use now?

Rob

[Roy]

Thanks for that Rob,

I'm leaning something every day..

Cheers,

Roy