RM Plymouth Band

[Mike H]

Not my area really but i saw this the other day and have doubts.Am i correct in thinking that the globe should be silver.It would appear to me that although the crown and POW feathers are correct,the bottom is wrong.My personal opinion is that its a OR`s collar badge added on.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROYAL-MARINES-...d=p3911.c0.m14

[stonehouse boy]

Hi Mike,
The badge is correct but it is not a cap badge of the Plymouth Division Band its the cap badge of the former Commando Forces Band which was disbanded in 1985 and now is also the cap badge of the Band of the Commando Training Centre Lympstone.
It has no silver globe because its worn by band ranks.

John

[Mike H]

Thanks Stonehouse Boy,
Are the materials correct ?
The bottom appears to be an OR`s collar though.
Whats the difference between this badge and the Plymouth Division band then?
I took it as "Plymouth" due to K&K ?

[stonehouse boy]

Hi Mike,
Yes the materials are correct the bottom part of the badge does look like a collar but the lugs are longer.
The Plymouth Division Royal Marines were from 1923-47 when it was changed to Plymouth Group Royal Marines.
Their cap badges were also in three parts being in silver and gilt for Officers,
gilt for band NCO's and in gilding metal for band ranks
When the Commando Forces Band was formed in the early 1970's it was based at Stonehouse Barracks Plymouth.
This was the old home of the Plymouth Division Band and permission was granted for the new Commando Forces Band to wear the Prince of Wales plume which they wore up to 1985 when the band was disbanded.
When the new band was formed at the Commando Training Centre the Queen gave her permission for them to wear the plume.
As you see on your post for ebay this is a modern annodise badge too late to be Plymouth Division.
John

[Mike H]

Thanks Stonehouse boy,if you look at K&K,they show the badge and the description.Obviously,they have taken it at face value and said Plymouth.But as you say the band had gone by the time the badge was made,so it should be "Commando Forces Band" rather than "Plymouth Division Band".

[Paddy]

John & Mike

Just to add some confusion to the "is it a collar badge or part of a cap badge issue". The latest price list for RN & RM Retail Clothing Stores does not list the anodised Globe & Laurel as a cap badge part, it is only listed as "Badge Collar, Globe & Laurel, Gold Finish, No1 & No2 Dress". The anodised Silver & Gold Officer's Cap Badge part is still listed but it appears the gold finish G&L is now the same for collars & WO2 badge parts.

Paddy