badjez

Never seen or heard of such a title so would treat it with caution. Why would SAS troops working behind enemy lines have this sort of badge made? If anything they would have worn a Land Forces Adriatic formation sign. Try going onto the British & Commonwealth Badge Forum to see if any of their experts can help? Stephen.

The winged badge on a triangle is Air Formation Signals- R. Signals units specialising in ground-air communication from lmid-ww2 until 1950's. Being bullion it is not of the standard printed variety but probably made somewhere in the Far East. Printed versions can be found with a unit's number printed above the wings. Stephen.

Out of interest, there were still two War Reserve constables working full time in the City of London Police in 1976. One was a lady who was the breakfast cook (and who undertook no other duties), the second was part of the Central Criminal Court staff, and he was on duty at The Judges Entrance every weekday, in uniform. Stephen

I vaguely remember that the City of London Police Special Constabulary senior officers wore Mess Dress at functions in the Guildhall and Mansion House. They were still in use around 2005. They were a mix of Oxford blue and Cambridge blue if I remember correctly. I have attached pictures of a Mess Dress waistcoat worn by the City of London Police Reserve. I didn't note where the pictures came from so if anyone recognises them and wants to acknowledge copyright I'll be glad to do so. Stephen.

Sorry, but I'm a little confused. Your man served with the Pioneer Corps, but neither of the uniforms you pictured are badged to that Corps. The BD has Somerset Light Infantry badges [214 Bde, 43 Inf Div], and the SD has collar badges from the Queen's. Being particularly ignorant, please can you explain to me why he would wear New Zealand sub-titles if he had transferred to the British Army? Thanks, Stephen.

I believe this badge 'A' within flames was worn by Ammunition Inspection Staff, introduced 30.09.50. In 1978 its use was extended to Ammunition Technical Officers, Ammunition Executive Officers, RAOC, and Ammunition Technicians, RAOC. By 1997 it was worn solely by Ammunition Technical Officers and Ammunition Technicians (Other Ranks). Stephen

Plastic 'guns' are indeed a rarity. The large plastic RA gun was not however worn by the rank and file gunners who made up the majority of the artillerymen during WW2. The plastic 'gun' was worn only by those men of Royal Horse Artillery units who retained the 'peaked cap' as part of their uniform. The majority of artillerymen wore the plastic 'grenade' badge in their Field Service cap, General Service cap, or later, their beret. The plastic 'grenade' is almost identical in size as the pre-war collar badge but has blade fittings. A very small number of these plastic 'grenade' badges can be found with 'UBIQUE' replaced by the letters 'R.A.A.B.F.', having a brooch-pin fitting. These were fund raising items for the Royal Artillery Association Benevolent Fund. Stephen.

I've just found this site today, so excuse presumption by butting in. Duty bands are still worn today by the City of London Police (the smallest but best force in London). They are worn on the tunic, which these days only gets used for ceremonials and court. They are coloured red and white, like the dicing on the caps. During the 1970's their was a belted light-weight tunic worn during the summer months (no shirt sleeve order then). The small band od 'Drivers' attached to the Police Garage had tunics issued without the belt (as the buckle poked the guts whilst seated), and they were also exempt duty bands in case they got entangled in the gear stick or other controls. Apart from differing from the rest of the country in using red and white the City also have gold numerals, chevrons, pips and crowns etc. They are also unique in not having a Royal Crown on their helmet plates. This relates to the independence of the City of London dating back to the English Civil War: even today, HM The Queen has to officially request permission from the Lord Mayor to enter the City for official functions. Stephen (I'll hand this thread back to the Mets to swing their lamps)