Paul L Murphy Posted August 12, 2009 Posted August 12, 2009 I have always thought that the British rank badge for a WO Class 1 and Regimental Sergeant Major is a very attractive item. While I do not yet have one of the Guard's "Big Badges" their smaller cousins are still very nice and here are a few I recently acquired. First up we have a bullion full dress badge on red backing. Next up we have the service dress uniform version for most infantry units with a scarlet border. This is the version for the Royal Army Medical Corps with a cherry red border. I believe this is a full dress version for the Royal Corps of Transport but am willing to be corrected. And finally a rifle green badge. I am not sure if this is for the rifles or the Royal Irish, the shades are slightly different. Enjoy :cheers:
Paul L Murphy Posted August 12, 2009 Author Posted August 12, 2009 A couple more, next is the Royal Air Force WO1 badge in pale blue on a navy background. Following that we have the Royal Engineer, Royal Signals and REME version of the RSM badge with a navy border.
TacHel Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 Very nice. Let me know if you'd like Canadian ones. BTW, RSMs are not scary... They're misunderstood.:whistle:
Pagan Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 Very nice. Let me know if you'd like Canadian ones. BTW, RSMs are not scary... They're misunderstood. Misunderstood hahahaha i like it. I thought the RSMs were scary.....
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 Paul - interesting thread. We see the Guards ones you mention, from time to time - will let you know next time. I think this one is for a Naval Chief Petty Officer. Darker background than the R.A.F. one and more colour lower down. Has an issue number on the reverse and was in a vacuum packed plastic envelope.
Paul L Murphy Posted August 16, 2009 Author Posted August 16, 2009 Paul - interesting thread. We see the Guards ones you mention, from time to time - will let you know next time. I think this one is for a Naval Chief Petty Officer. Darker background than the R.A.F. one and more colour lower down. Has an issue number on the reverse and was in a vacuum packed plastic envelope. Hi Mervyn, Yes indeed, that is the RN version. I was about to post a picture of mine but it is not as nice as your example. :cheers:
TacHel Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 (edited) Our Sergeant Major Addenda: Sergeant-Major Harper Edited August 16, 2009 by TacHel
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 17, 2009 Posted August 17, 2009 Corporal Major- Life Guards Paul - I have a set of W.O's badges for Sth. Africa ready - but, won't post in case you want to keep this for British only - let me know ? If you want to open it up then I think you could make it a definitive ref. thread for Warrant Officers' badges around the World.
Paul L Murphy Posted August 17, 2009 Author Posted August 17, 2009 Corporal Major- Life Guards Paul - I have a set of W.O's badges for Sth. Africa ready - but, won't post in case you want to keep this for British only - let me know ? If you want to open it up then I think you could make it a definitive ref. thread for Warrant Officers' badges around the World. Let's open it up to RSM badges from Britian and the Commonwealth. I look forward to seeing what you have.
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 Paul - I hope these fit in with the good thread you have going. They are all for the South African Forces - with all the changes someone more up-to-date will have to tell us if they are still current. The top one is a Warrant Office Class 1 in the Sth. African Medical Services. The smaller one for a W.O. 2.
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 If I haven't got them the wrong way around - the top one is for a Warrant Officer in The South Africa Police (now discontinued for the rank of Inspector). The lower one is for a W.O. 1 in the South African Air Force.
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 The cloth one (top) was a WW2 badge for the RSM of the Durban Light Infantry. The one below - I'm not sure - but, with the enamel I would think for mess dress - and Army.
Graham Stewart Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 Possibly one of the most unusual WOI's badges, that of the RSM Royal Northumberland Fusiliers complete with 'gosling green' backing, which was originally the regimental facing colour.
Paul L Murphy Posted August 26, 2009 Author Posted August 26, 2009 Nice badges. The South African examples are nice, clearly influenced by the style of the British badge. Are these hard to find ?
Pagan Posted August 27, 2009 Posted August 27, 2009 Mervyn those badges are very nice and as Paul said you can see the British influence coming through
Paul L Murphy Posted August 27, 2009 Author Posted August 27, 2009 Here is another one. This is the version for wear on pullovers and other working dress but it is not popular and seldom worn.
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 27, 2009 Posted August 27, 2009 Paul - these patterns are not hard to find - we always seem to have a few. You need to 'jog' the other Commonwealth Countries now to finish the sets.
Paul L Murphy Posted August 30, 2009 Author Posted August 30, 2009 Here is an example of the smaller badge worn on mess dress. This one is on a beige backing cloth but I forget which regiment/corps this represents.
Paul L Murphy Posted August 30, 2009 Author Posted August 30, 2009 And now for the mother of all rank badges ! I finally managed to get an original example of the "Big Badge" which is worn on the upper arm by Guards RSMs. This example is an obsolete pattern which was worn a few years ago. The Guards did not like it since the lion etc are in yellow so they had their own examples made, which are currently worn, where the lion etc is in beige. It is a nicer badge. Unfortunately the MOD have ordered yellow badges for the new F.A.D. uniforms so it will be interesting to see what happens with these. I suspect the Guards will go out and get their own in beige again. This is a whopping 16 cms x 13.5 cms in size !
unit8 Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 The South African enamel Warrant Officer badge below the cloth WWII one is for the South African Prison Service later renamed the Correctional Services
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Never thought of Prison Service thank goodness for experts. Paul - now you need the bullion version for red tunic ?
Paul L Murphy Posted August 31, 2009 Author Posted August 31, 2009 Paul - now you need the bullion version for red tunic ? I know, I am working on that at the moment. There are currently two versions of the red bullion version. The MOD provided piece has a horrible lion's face, he looks more like a grinning Cheshire Cat ! The Guards have contracted to buy their own version which is better made. Fingers crossed I will be able to get one of each in a while and share them with you.
Paul L Murphy Posted September 3, 2009 Author Posted September 3, 2009 At last, I have managed to get one of the full dress RSM badges for the Guards. This is the rank badge worn by some of the scariest RSMs of the lot, and is also one of the most impressive rank badges in the world. Enjoy
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 3, 2009 Posted September 3, 2009 Paul - a lovely example. Since you are a collector, you have obviously checked that it isn't from Pakistan ? Looks to be in new condition and the bullion is beautifully worked. Not sure of current prices - has to be in the region of £150 with provenance. Congratulations. Mervyn. p.s. does this mean you are retiring from collecting now that you have them all ??
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