Badge witn open eye

[Anjoucollector]

Good afternoon,

this badge looks like Guard Armoured division one, but of modern manufacturing.
Is it simply a strange copy ?

Laurent

[grenadierguardsman]

An unofficial item perhaps ? The blue is wrong IMHO.
Andy

[mike_vee]

There was a post (2014) about a possible lighter coloured variation :

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=38547

Another thing I found is that a lot of the military model makers sites (which are usually detail oriented) show the lighter shade of blue.

.

[leigh kitchen]

There is a GAD variation which is slightly larger than the one commonly found, embroidered on felt, the blue is brighter than the norm I think.
I've always understood it to be private purchase having originally been told this by a dealer who claimed one that he had came from a gents outfitters in Cambridge that closed down in the 80's or thereabouts.
I don't know what the badge in question is.

Edit: the more commonly found version of the GAD sign and the larger one of a brighter blue:

[Colin S]

Wasn’t this badge design used again by the 4th (Guards) Infantry Brigade in BAOR during the 1970s? I remember seeing a photo of it being worn on the ‘woolly pully’.

Not that I’m suggesting the badge which started this thread is from there....

[leigh kitchen]

The badge was used with the addition of "IV".
I think the basic GAD badge has been or is being used by a formation in more recent times.

[mike_vee]

Possibly a re-enactors patch based on "model makers" guide or other 'non-official' articles/items ?

[Ex Supt Clk RAOC]

Colin, As Leigh points out in post No6 below the Guards Brigade in BAOR during the 1970s used the Ever Open Eye symbol with IV below. I served in the Bde HQ located in York Bks Munster from 1974 to 1977 but i have no recollection of the badge being worn on uniform. It was most certainly used on all 'headed' correspondence from the Bde.

The Bde was in fact from 1970 until its disbandment on 1 Oct 1977 entitled 4th Guards Armoured Brigade and it consisted of two Guards Battalions and two Armoured Regiments (as well of course supporting arms and services). On disbandment the two Armoured Regiments were 2RTR and 4RTR and the two Guards Battalions were 2 SG and 1 IG. The Brigade at that time was commanded by Brig H D A Langley (late LG) the only HCav Officer to command the Bde, all others were Foot Guards but there was never a WG Commander.

I remember sometime during my tour that 5 Innis DG handed over to 4 RTR who were collocated in York Bks with the Bde HQ and the HQ & Sig Sqn.

On disbandment the (peacetime) HQ was renamed HQ Munster Garrison whilst the tactical element which came under command of 2 Div was named Task Force Charlie.

I still have today a copy of the Brigade's Disbandment Parade Programme.
Whilst i have diverged from the original theme of this post I hope this is informative
Best Regards
Steve

[grey_green_acorn]

This version was apparently worn by a Guards battalion (1SG?) in Afghanistan during 2013/2014. Probably worn on the helmet cover?

Tim

[Colin S]

Originally Posted by Ex Supt Clk RAOC

Colin, As Leigh points out in post No6 below the Guards Brigade in BAOR during the 1970s used the Ever Open Eye symbol with IV below. I served in the Bde HQ located in York Bks Munster from 1974 to 1977 but i have no recollection of the badge being worn on uniform. It was most certainly used on all 'headed' correspondence from the Bde.

The Bde was in fact from 1970 until its disbandment on 1 Oct 1977 entitled 4th Guards Armoured Brigade and it consisted of two Guards Battalions and two Armoured Regiments (as well of course supporting arms and services). On disbandment the two Armoured Regiments were 2RTR and 4RTR and the two Guards Battalions were 2 SG and 1 IG. The Brigade at that time was commanded by Brig H D A Langley (late LG) the only HCav Officer to command the Bde, all others were Foot Guards but there was never a WG Commander.

I remember sometime during my tour that 5 Innis DG handed over to 4 RTR who were collocated in York Bks with the Bde HQ and the HQ & Sig Sqn.

On disbandment the (peacetime) HQ was renamed HQ Munster Garrison whilst the tactical element which came under command of 2 Div was named Task Force Charlie.

I still have today a copy of the Brigade's Disbandment Parade Programme.
Whilst i have diverged from the original theme of this post I hope this is informative
Best Regards
Steve

Thanks for some great information. Wish I could remember where exactly I saw the photo of it being worn, I think on a pullover but possibly on a smock, but I noticed it because of the WWII Guards Armoured Division connection. There were similar photos of the Desert Rats badge being worn on DPM at around the same time in BAOR. I said 1970s but could have been later in the 1980s. Another mystery which other people may be able to solve.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

This version was apparently worn by a Guards battalion (1SG?) in Afghanistan during 2013/2014. Probably worn on the helmet cover?

Tim

I am surprised the Scots Guards used those Tim, i would have thought they would have used the colours " oxford blue and signal red " for these unofficial cloth badges. I'm surprised that the poor quality was accepted ? IMHO
Andy

[Colin S]

I have now found my reference for the cloth badge I noted as worn in the 1970s. It is indeed the version with the ‘IV’ added and was worn by a Brigadier on the right sleeve of the pullover in 1976.

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

I am surprised the Scots Guards used those Tim, i would have thought they would have used the colours " oxford blue and signal red " for these unofficial cloth badges. I'm surprised that the poor quality was accepted ? IMHO
Andy

Andy,
I am not sure that it was 1SG - waiting for other members’ comments.

Tim