Paul L Murphy Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 He is more commonly known in the Household Division as "God's unofficial representative on earth" ! The Garrison Sergeant Major of London Division has now got a new rank badge which harks back to the Victorian era. It was first worn by the present holder of this office, RSM Mott of the Welsh Guards, at the recent royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The badge is the large royal arms, as worn by Guards RSMs, on a four bar chevron. Initially it was thought that they could use the four bar chevron currently used for band masters, however when they tried it the chevrons were at the wrong angle to best display the badge. Hence the master tailor in Wellington Barracks made new four bar chevrons at a different angle. Only five badges were made so this is not something that will find its way onto ebay anytime soon ! It is probably the most impressive modern rank badge that I have ever seen so enjoy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odulf Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 (edited) What a novilty..., glad the MOD remained true to their colours; what's new? Edited January 3, 2012 by Odulf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odulf Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 No disrespect Paul, but I am glad to see an old custom revived, instead of inventing something new. Thanks for showing the badge, new style! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 It would be great to see a modern photo of it in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Paul - a very good illustration. We had a post on this new badge some time ago - however, I don't think we had a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 No disrespect Paul, but I am glad to see an old custom revived, instead of inventing something new. Thanks for showing the badge, new style! The idea to re-introduce the old badge came from the Assistant Curator of the Guards Museum, Gary Gibbs. He put forward the idea almost two years ago and it was finally approved in time for the royal wedding. The only photos I can find with it in use are subject to Crown Copyright so I do not want to reproduce them here. However if you google William Mott in the images option there are photos of it being worn, as well as a photo of the Master Tailor stitching it onto the tunic. A new badge has also been made for wear on the greatcoat and I hope to be able to get a photo of that later this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 You will notice that the badge worn on his tunic has the arms higher up on the chevrons than the example I have pictured. This is because each of the badges were hand stiched, hence there was some variation between the five. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Very impressive. In similar vein it would be nice if the Foot Guards RQMSs could get the old 4 bar chevron surmounted by a star back as well! Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul w Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Saw the Garrison Sergeant major wearing said badge on his 'wooly pully' a couple of weeks ago,very impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Paul - I see no reason why you can't show a picture of the Insignia. Crown Copyright really means that the little b......... in Pakistan are not to make copies. Providing we give full credit I can't see that they would make a fuss. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyB Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Here's the badge itself on the WO1 (GSM) Mott's tunic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thankyou Guy - a lovely clear picture - and what an impressive badge it is ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyB Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Thankyou Guy - a lovely clear picture - and what an impressive badge it is ? I actually have a photo of the Master Tailor sewing on the badge from the MOD blog but it's crown copyright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Now that is a nice rank insignia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Guy - I agree that it would be wrong to use the photo without full accreditation - however, the Crown Copyright was set-up to distribute material to interested people. I think therefore that you could post this picture of the tailor - it would be interesting. Should they object - which I doubt with the GMIC credibility - then we can always apologise - and perhaps, sacrifice one of the newer members. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyB Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Guy - I agree that it would be wrong to use the photo without full accreditation - however, the Crown Copyright was set-up to distribute material to interested people. I think therefore that you could post this picture of the tailor - it would be interesting. Should they object - which I doubt with the GMIC credibility - then we can always apologise - and perhaps, sacrifice one of the newer members. Mervyn I'd rather not be sacrificed, but here's the picture. (Crown Copyright acknowledged) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Always good to see the artist at work. I think I can persuade Brian to keep you off the 'sacrifice' list............... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyB Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Only five badges were made so this is not something that will find its way onto ebay anytime soon ! You'd be suprised just how quickly badges such as this get copied.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Badge-WO1-GSM-Garrison-SGT-Major-Ceremonial-Rank-on-4-Bars-Chevron-R783-CHV-/200724839492 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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