95 Amphibious Observation Regiment RA

[Mike Jackson]

As at January 1956 95 AO Regt RA , having been formed in 1952 had its RHQ located at the Amphibious Warfare Centre in Fremington, Devon. From this location RHQ commanded Regular, Territorial and Reserve units: 166 AO Bty RA stationed in Malta with one Troop (Tp) until recently detached in Trieste; 3 (Indep) AO Tp RA in Hong Kong; 881 AO Bty RA (TA) split between London, Leeds and Windsor; and the members of 950 AO Bty RA (AER) come from such widely dispersed places as Ross-Shire, Sussex, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. 95 AO Regt RA has the distinction of being permitted to wear the Amphibious Warfare flash together with black web belts and equipment (as per RM of that period). Members of 95 AO Regt RA were not required to complete the Commando Course (that came later, in 1963). The writer of this piece recalls meeting some members of 95 AO Regt RA in Bovington, Dorset in the autumn of 1963 wearing black denim tank suits with the Amphibious Warfare flash in circular format as well as black webbing etc.

[3dg]

An interesting write up Mike, thank you.
I strongly suspect the Tankies frowned upon the Gunners wearing their tank suits!
Amphibious warfare flash? Is this the combined ops badge?
Cheers

Chris

[Mike Jackson]

The flash worn was the standard Combined Operatons sign worn in circular format (although I have an image of a member of 3 Tp wearing the same sign in a square format. He's in company with two mates from 3 Tp both wearing the circular sign. All three are wearing parachute wings and the brass RA on their shoulder straps. The sign in circuar format was entitled Combined Operations Headquarters in Heraldry in War by Howard Cole, 1947 edition.

[3dg]

Thanks Mike.

Chris

[Colin S]

Mike,

Prior to the Commando course becoming compulsory, would I be correct in assuming the navy blue beret was worn?

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Colin S

Mike,

Prior to the Commando course becoming compulsory, would I be correct in assuming the navy blue beret was worn?

Casting my mind back to the Spring of 1964...... Yes!

I should have added that in the period from the early 1960s the most interestingly dressed members of either 20 AO Bty (of 29 Cdo Lt Regt) and 148 AO Bty (of 95 Cdo Lt Regt) stationed in Bahrain were the Naval ROs. They wore a slightly cut down red/blue ROs rating (trade?) cloth badge on the green beret. In addition they could be bearded and wear parachute wings, the Combined Operations sign, AWD blue shirts and KD shorts. Although correctly dressed, their appearance drove the RSM of the Bahrain based Para Bn wild!

[grenadierguardsman]

The Guards had an adventure training unit at freminton. Great place too.
Andy

[Colin S]

Mike

Thanks for all the extra very interesting information - battery parades must have been a fine spectacle!

Colin

[Mike B]

Interesting write up - thanks for the information Mike and all - these memories are gold dust, and need to be recorded while memories serve
All the best
Mike