Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1953 Revised Pattern Insigna


Other-Ranks Gliding Metal

Middle - (KK 2126) Cap Badge
Left & Right - (CW 369) Pair of Collar Badges
Bottom Left - (HR 523) Button
(As far as is known, No QC Gliding Metal Buttons were produced)
Bottom Left (WL 445) Shoulder Title
(Adopted and Sealed November 1954)

Other-Ranks Anodised Aluminum

By 1955, Anodised Aluminum Badges and Buttons had become the standard issue for Other-Ranks
With the introduction of No2 Dress in the 1960's Collar Badges also once again became a common issue item.

Silver/Gilt Officers Pattern

At sometime after c1955, a new style of officers badge came into common usage. That of the Bullion Beret Badge.

Beleaved to be the first example of a RAOC Bullion Ofiicers Badge in general use.

The later and more common example was produced in differant colour backings to match 'Arms-of-Service' Berets.
These were a private purchase item.

Left - Maroon Bullion Badge for Airborne RAOC Officers & Warrant Officers.

Centre - Dark Navy Blue, For Navy Blue General Service Beret.*

Right - Green Bullion Badge for RM Commando RAOC Officers & Warrant Officers.

* Note - Navy Blue Badge was used for Army Air Corps, Light Blue Beret on a Navy Blue Patch or 'Cut Square by the Manufacture'

With the growing troubles in Northern Ireland in the late 1960's
There was an operational need to tone down the shiny Anodised Cap Badge.
While no official Blackened Badge was produced, it was approved for wear.
It became the practice for blackened badges to be worn on operations and field training,
and good to poor examples still survive.

Local Modification - Other-Ranks Blackened Cap Badge
This example is a stove finished 'Gun Metal' Matt Paint
that while it has a hard finish, is very easy to chip.

M Comerford - August 2003 - HTML Revision 1