Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1949 Pattern Insigna

The 1947 RAOC Pattern Badge had a short life owing to the War Office Dress Committee’s decision in 1949 that a Regiment or Corps would only be allowed one hat badge design for all types of head-dress, and the corps decision that the 1947 pattern badge was considered to be to large to wear on the beret and not ornate enough for wear with No1 Dress, it was accordingly proposed to adopt a smaller re-designed badge to meet all requirements for officers and other ranks

Other-Ranks Gliding Metal

Middle - (KK 2125) Cap Badge
Left & Right - (CW 369) Pair of Collar Badges
Bottom Left - (HR 523) Button
Bottom Right - (WL 445) Shoulder Title
(Adopted and Sealed September 1950)

2 styles of Other-Ranks 1949 Pattern Badges exist.
Top - Closed Scroll Type, Most 1949 OR Badges are of this type.
Bottom -Open Scroll Type, More commonly associated with the Silver/Gilt Officers Badges,
and all later 1953 QC Badges.

Silver/Gilt Officers Pattern
It was also decided by the War Office Dress Committee,
that for the first time officers & would be provided with the Dress Badge out of the public purse.
Following the 'One Badge Design' rule the new officers badge is of a higher specification.
Produced in Burnished Gilt with Silver Shield

.
While the 1947 Anodised Cap Badge was one of the first to be trailed in the Army.
This 1949 Pattern Badge was produced not long afterwards, and is also regarded as Scarce.
Buttons however were by now becoming a standard issue item, and RAOC KC buttons are fairly common.
When Shoulder Titles started to be issued is not that certain however, But are common items later on.

M Comerford - August 2003 - HTML Revision 1