One for the Artillery Gurus!

[2747andy]

Why were the Royal Artillery (RFA/RGA) late in adopting the Cap badge as we know it? For example there is no QVC Forage cap badge, as far I as know any way, but plenty of Helmet plate variations, ? Here is a lugged example which I believe dates c.1901-03, which must be their first pattern Forage cap badge?

Andy

[54Bty]

Andy, the simple answer is, it was not needed until the peaked cap was introduced with Khaki Service Dress in 1902, and the Broderick. The head dress badge (when one was worn) was the Universal Pattern Grenade or the letters RA. Not counting the Blue Cloth Helmet and RA Busby.

Luged version sealed 17/07/1902.

Marc

[Tinto]

Hi Andy,
I have only the one badge like yours, all the others are slidered, so you may be correct in your assumption that the 2-lugged badge is an earlier issue.
I have 2 Territorial badges (laurel leaves in place of UBIQUE) with similar 2 lugs.
Cheers, Tinto

[Phillip Herring]

The RCA and RA cap badges are of identical pattern.
The Royal Canadian Artillery cap badges are nearly always lugged - I have never seen a slidered kings crown artillery badge attributed to the RCA. Perhaps this one is Canadian.

Phil

[2747andy]

Phil,
I think (99% certain) it's British rather than Canadian, the shape and position of the lugs are what make me think that. Both my Territorial and Volunteer badges are of identical construction.

Andy

[54Bty]

The badge in post number 1 IS the luged pattern 5752 sealed on the 17/07/1902, for wear by members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in the Broderick Cap and later the Khaki Peaked Cap. The long slider version was sealed on the 05/01/1903 for the Pugree, the short slider was sealed in 1906 which was reinforced behind the upper scroll on 25/05/1917 under a different pattern number.

Marc

[2747andy]

Thanks Marc,
great info... 1st one I've ever had, they must be quite scarce for what is normally a common badge!

Best regards

Andy

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

The badge in post number 1 IS the luged pattern 5752 sealed on the 17/07/1902, for wear by members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in the Broderick Cap and later the Khaki Peaked Cap. The long slider version was sealed on the 05/01/1903 for the Pugree, the short slider was sealed in 1906 which was reinforced behind the upper scroll on 25/05/1917 under a different pattern number.

Marc

Great post, do you know what came after the reinforced 1917 pattern?

Rgds,
Thomas.

[54Bty]

Beret badge (KC) pattern 13910 sealed on the 16/10/1948.

Marc

[fougasse1940]

Thanks Marc, Your answer implies the reinforced slider pattern was in use until 1948?

Rgds,
Thomas.

[54Bty]

Not really, you asked what came next and the beret badge was next on the list of patterns that I have. Also there is the plastic version in 1943, but I do not have any pattern details for that one.

It does not always follow that one pattern replaces another, and I suspect that during WWII someone reverted back to the 1906 pattern to save on the metal and labour costs.

The introduction of the (KC) anodised version was published in 1951 both Cap and Beret but no evidence of it being sealed or issued has yet emerged.

The (QC) brass version pattern 16571 was sealed on the 06/12/1954, followed later by the anodised version in 1960. However I do think that some data is missing.

Marc

[fougasse1940]

Thanks again Marc, I did ask because I was under the impression the WWII version is the 1906 pattern, but there is no documentation when or why this change was made.

Rgds,
Thomas.