Regimental Badges

Product Information

A booklet full of information on dating uniforms, including within the years 1914–18; also covers rank badges. The British Army’s Tri-Service Ceremonial policy and plans lead, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Kestrel Simson said: “The cap badge goes to the very heart of what the Army is about. The last thing a soldier or officer does when they leave their accommodation or quarter is put on their beret and on that beret is the cap badge. It identifies the soldier as belonging to one of the Army’s 74 Regiments or Corps.

While many regiments have a cloth badge for officers and a metal badge for soldiers, everyone serving in the Ranger Regiment will wear a metal badge, irrespective of rank. Beret and Belt Detachable badges in metal or cloth are a key element of military uniforms. They can be worn on a cap, collar, shoulder, arm, or cuff. They can be stitched, or attached with brass pins or ‘sliders’. They can identify the rank of the serviceman, their particular regiment or ship, qualification or specialist trade, and distinguish those with gallantry awards, long service or who have been previously wounded. Servicemen may also wear badges of larger formations (such as Brigades, Divisions or Armies), within which their unit is currently serving. It follows that badges on military uniforms change throughout military service, and can help identify and date portrait photographs. A bit like a football fan’s scarf, it identifies who you are and what you are. When you have lots of different corps and regiments together you will see people gravitate towards their own cap badge.” Large book, uses hundreds of portrait and other photographs as the primary source; good for identifying if equipment carried is unusual, and might indicate a specialist e.g. tank crew, machine gunner, etc.

Myth and legend

Portrait photographs such as this one were purely unofficial - the British Army did not photograph its First World War recruits. The images were typically taken in a commercial studio while on the first leave after being fitted with a uniform. They were given to loved ones or exchanged with friends. The Regiment, initially announced earlier this year, will stand-up on 1 December 2021, commencing cadres and training for its four battalions. The Ranger Regiment cap badge

Worn for the first time by military personnel taking part in the Coronation, they will become the official new symbol for the Regiments and Corps. The design of the badges reflect the cypher and the Tudor Crown, which appears in The King's cypher.Illustrated with photographs of actual badges, in full colour, plus some notes on how they were worn, and other badges. Forty-six of the British Army’s Corps and Regimental cap badges showing His Majesty The King's cypher have been unveiled. The design for the Army Special Operations Brigade formation flash is inspired by the badge of the Special Service Brigade. The Special Service Brigade was a formation of the British Army during the Second World War.