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  #1  
Old 04-08-17, 10:42 PM
Jackhr Jackhr is offline
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Default signaller badge what are the flags ?

On the badge you have 2 flags 1 is dark blue other white with a blue stripe down the middle so what do the flags mean??

cheers Jack
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Last edited by Jackhr; 04-08-17 at 11:09 PM.
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  #2  
Old 05-08-17, 04:11 AM
green_jas green_jas is offline
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I would assume that it is perhaps the signals corps colours? I have seen that patch on black background as well.

Thanks
Jas
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  #3  
Old 05-08-17, 04:15 AM
green_jas green_jas is offline
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If you are asking what the actual flags mean I would think it is a patch to denote the there role, crossed flags as they used flags to signal back in the day. Much like a crossed rifle for Infantry patch.

Someone may have a definitive answer?

Thanks,
Jas
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  #4  
Old 05-08-17, 07:11 AM
Jackhr Jackhr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by green_jas View Post
If you are asking what the actual flags mean I would think it is a patch to denote the there role, crossed flags as they used flags to signal back in the day. Much like a crossed rifle for Infantry patch.

Someone may have a definitive answer?

Thanks,
Jas
Thanks Jas but what I would like to know is what does the white flag with blue stripe represent ? ei a word,letter of the alphabet or something else .

Thanks Jack
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  #5  
Old 05-08-17, 07:19 AM
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fairlie63 fairlie63 is offline
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Hello Jack,

The dark blue flag is for use for visual signalling with light backgrounds, and the white flag with blue strip is for dark backgrounds.

Your example appears to be a nice early Australian badge, 1904-1920 or so. Perhaps earlier.

Keith
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  #6  
Old 05-08-17, 07:53 AM
Jackhr Jackhr is offline
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Thanks Keith for your reply but what would the guys in the photo be doing ,the reason I ask is I have come across a flag and just wanted to know what its purpose was.

Cheers
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  #7  
Old 05-08-17, 08:06 AM
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leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
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They're practising signaling, using the flags, presumably (I'm resisting making a joke about Aussie Rules cheerleaders).
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  #8  
Old 05-08-17, 08:06 AM
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fairlie63 fairlie63 is offline
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Visual signalling with semaphore. The position of the flags indicated a letter of the alphabet.
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  #9  
Old 05-08-17, 08:18 AM
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there were a set of cigarette cards all with the semaphores on them.
im sure there available somewhere
here's something for you jack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SulHXA4JbE8
bc
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  #10  
Old 05-08-17, 08:22 AM
Jackhr Jackhr is offline
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Thanks guys for all your help but what i want to know is what does the flag mean is it only for practise or does it represent something.
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  #11  
Old 05-08-17, 09:06 AM
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fairlie63 fairlie63 is offline
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Jack - the flag has no meaning. If you look at bc's link you will see that it is the position the flag (or both flags in conjunction) is held that denotes the letter of the alphabet, or an action, or a number.

The colour of the flag is so that it can easily be seen against either a dark or a light background depending on the location of the sender and the observer.

Flags stand out much better than waving arms, hence their size, 2 or 3 feet square I think.

It is for sending messages, has been so for hundreds of years (hundreds? maybe a bit less), well before wireless, email or mobile phones. It is a bit like Morse, just with flags instead of a buzzer.
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  #12  
Old 05-08-17, 09:16 AM
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Mike Jackson Mike Jackson is offline
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It is for sending messages, has been so for hundreds of years (hundreds? maybe a bit less), well before wireless, email or mobile phones. It is a bit like Morse, just with flags instead of a buzzer.

Read all about it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphore_line
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  #13  
Old 05-08-17, 09:26 AM
Jackhr Jackhr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fairlie63 View Post
Jack - the flag has no meaning. If you look at bc's link you will see that it is the position the flag (or both flags in conjunction) is held that denotes the letter of the alphabet, or an action, or a number.

The colour of the flag is so that it can easily be seen against either a dark or a light background depending on the location of the sender and the observer.

Flags stand out much better than waving arms, hence their size, 2 or 3 feet square I think.

It is for sending messages, has been so for hundreds of years (hundreds? maybe a bit less), well before wireless, email or mobile phones. It is a bit like Morse, just with flags instead of a buzzer.
Thanks Keith you have answered my question, i have seen all the other type of flags and just was not sure if the flag had a meaning(color of it)

Thanks again for your help .............. where is that button
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  #14  
Old 05-08-17, 02:33 PM
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wardog wardog is offline
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Could not have used a plain white flag against a dark background- wrong sort of message...No doubt there is record somewhere of how each flag style was chosen. Regards, Paul.
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  #15  
Old 06-08-17, 10:29 AM
Lancer 17 Lancer 17 is offline
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The blue and white enamel crossed flags were worn by signals instructors and the men's trade qualification badge is die stamped copper.

We have an example in the Sigs Museum and it has the name of the wearer, however I don't have this detail at home. I hope that helps.

Regards

Phil.
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