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#1
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Question for the Sappers
Why do the airborne RE officers in the attached late 1950s/early 1960s photos wear Other Ranks beret badges?
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#2
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Hi Colin.
If I remember correctly and looking at some of the items I my collection, officers wore the same pattern badge as O/Rs in the beret but possibly in silver and gilt rather than A/A they definitely wore same pattern badge in silver and gilt when wearing a hat. As you are probably aware earlier officer pattern badges had a gap between the circlet and the Laurel leaves where O/Rs were solid. The O/R pattern cap badge changed to also have a gap. I think but may be wrong officers wore the same A/A as O/Rs in the beret. I have seen some badges with a different construction allegedly for W/Os and officers. I am not convinced by their just think it’s a makers variation. I served in the 80s so may be totally off base. Why do you think they are O/Rs ? Regards Chris |
#3
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Hi Chris
Thanks for the response but I’ve always thought that RE officers have always worn a flaming grenade badge on their berets - hence my question. There are photos of Airborne RE officers wearing the grenade as a beret badge in WW2 and in my own experience of the RE since the 1980s officers always wear a grenade badge on berets. Have I missed something here? |
#4
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Hi Colin.
I stand corrected. Yes you are quite correct. Wow what a thing to forget. I now remember the officers wearing a “ cloth “ badge in the beret. |
#5
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And by that I mean a flaming grenade “ cloth “ badge.
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#6
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I do not really know the answer to this... Officer's had to purchase many of their uniform items and this is just a guess maybe they are waiting for the bullion "Grenade" badge to arrive from the Officer outfitters??
Engr9266
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JERRY ROYAL ENGINEERS/BRITISH ARMY CORPS & SERVICES/BRITISH LEGION/ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (see albums) |
#7
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I would not be surprised if this a was an affection of the regiment at that time. The Airborne Signals officers had their own badge variation in WW2.
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#8
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RAOC Officers wore a Gilt Collar Badge on the beret till circa 1960 when the Bullion Badge was introduced and that includes RAOC Airborne Officers
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#9
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I think Alan is correct and wearing the RE cap badge in the maroon beret was a tradition in the Scottish based element (under various designations during the 1950s and 1960s) of 131 Engineer Regiment of the Territorial Army. There are a number of photos on the net including those in the opening post which show this. http://www.airbornesappersscotland.c...lery%20new.htm
See here for 131 history https://military.wikia.org/wiki/131_...oyal_Engineers Tim
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"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." |
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