Headgear of the 32 Signal Regiment - Glengarry, Tam O'Shanter, or Beret?

[Reid10]

I am in the process of cataloguing my 32 Signal Regiment headgear and could use expertise from the forum to ensure I am labeling everything correctly.

I know the regiment wears (has worn?) three types of headgear; the glengarry, tam o'shanter, and blue beret with a Red Grant tartan square (glengarry) or diamond (TOS and beret) as a badge backing. The right to wear the Red Grant tartan was granted in 1967.

Here is where I am confused and would appreciate your insight.

There is one squadron, 40 (North Irish Horse) Signal Squadron, in Belfast with all other units based in Scotland.

Does the regiment continue to wear the blue beret? Is it only worn by the squadron in Northern Ireland? Does the Irish squadron also wear the glengarry, or do they wear a peaked cap?

If the blue beret is no longer worn, in what year to did this occur? 2009?

When did the regiment begin wearing the TOS? I know it was only in 2009 that the Scottish Transport Regiment requested, and was granted, the right to wear the TOS.

Below are pictures of all three types of Other Ranks headgear. The glengarry for Staff Sergeants and above has a blue toorie and Pipers and Officers have their own distinct cap badges.

I look forward to having this mystery (at least for me) cleared up.

Reid

[dubaiguy]

Chris Walker is the man for all things Signals.

His superb webpage may give you some of the info you need.

www.signalsbadges.co.uk

Mark

[irishhorse]

Was recently in contact with 40 (NIH) Sqn. Got this info..When 40 (Ulster) Signal Regt disbanded in 2010. They joined 32 SR. And are now 40 (NIH) Signal Sqn, part of 32 SR. The Sqn wear the navy beret, and seniors wear the navy caubeen. The remainder if the regiment wear tam o shanter type head dress.

[Reid10]

Gentlemen, this is exactly what I needed to know.

Chris Walker's page was extremely helpful and provided when the Red Grant tartan was authorized, but did not address when the TOS was introduced and who wore it.

Thank you irishhorse for your answer to my question. I did not know the seniors wear the navy caubeen. I will be searching for a picture today of the caubeen being worn.

In 2009, a request was granted allowing the Scottish Transport Regiment to wear the Tam O’Shanter with Red MacDuff badge backing rather than the beret. The STR was redesignated the 154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC in 2016 and continues to wear the TOS. The Irish squadron appears to still wear the blue beret.

I wonder when the TOS was granted for the 32nd? The pattern of TOS for the regiment I have seen is the smaller crown and black cotton lining introduced in the late 90s (I believe ~1998), so it was likely in the 2000s.

Thank you again for your posts! I will update the entries for my collection.

Reid

[Alan O]

i can't answer that question but when the Liverpool Signals Squadron was part of 32 (before yet another reorganisation put it back in 37 I think) the OC decided on the TofS for them and styled themselves as Liverpool Scottish. This raised a few eyebrows including the CO's!

[Peter Brydon]

Alan that is most interesting and something I have never heard of before,when are we talking about please ?

Peter