Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Cloth Shoulder Titles

Pre W.W.I

The first recorded use of Shoulder Designations was in 1902 (Army Order 10 of 1902) whereby rank and file personnel wore curved strips of coloured cloth sewn to the upper part of the sleeve of the Service Dress Tunic. The Colour designation for Independent Corps was White with the lettering in a distinctive colour. The Army Ordnance Corps being Red on White.

 
Red on White Army Ordnance Corps Coloured Shoulder Title

W.W.I

To conserve metal, slip-on Khaki Worsted Shoulder Titles were introduced towards the end of World War One. They do not seem to have been universally used however, but continued to be issued till the early 1920’s when metal shoulder titles were again approved for manufacture and issue.

Left - World War One ‘White on Khaki’ AOC Slip-On Shoulder Title (c1916)
Right - Post W.W.1 ‘White on Khaki’ RAOC example (c1919)

W.W.II

At the beginning of W.W.II, as an economy measure directed towards again saving metal and also as a security device, Slip-on Khaki Worsted Cloth Shoulder Titles this time with Black thread were re-introduced to be worn, not just on the Battle-Dress blouse but also on the Khaki Drill Jacket and Khaki Drill Shirt where a lighter cotton version was used.

As well as the above machine-stitched versions, there also existed printed versions of the same thing. These are not as common as the former original versions but are still official ordnance issue, and worn during the war. Two versions have been noted, ‘Black on Green’ & ‘Black on Khaki’ and seem to have been produced in much the same way as the printed Home Guard insignia, Printed onto strips of cloth, then machine finished.

         
Examples of RAOC ‘Slip-on’ Epaulette Title, and alternative design, with ‘Full Stops’
Black Machine-Stitched on Khaki Cloth with Black Border Stitching (c1939)
Bottom Right - Cut down version of slip-on to create a stitched shoulder title.

Rear view showing fitting loop  &  Printed ‘Black on Green’ Version.

In September 1941, in an effort to economise further on labour and materials, certain regiments and corps (the RAOC, RASC, PC & ACC among them) serving at home stations were ordered to discontinue wearing the slip-on shoulder strap titles. (ACI 1681 dated 6 September 1941)

They did however continue to be worn in some overseas theatres.

Coloured Shoulder Titles


Unofficial Full Title, Navy Blue Embroidered on Scarlet Felt (With Black Cloth Backing)

A new set of instructions (ACI 905 dated 12 June 1943) laying down for the first time the patterns of coloured insignia of all types was issued. Under the heading ‘Dress - Distinguishing Marks to be worn at Home’ To foster ‘Esprit de corps’ all ranks below the rank of Colonel serving at home, (less a few exceptions) were authorised to wear a regimental designation at the top of both sleeves of the Battle-Dress blouse, but not on the Service Dress or Greatcoat.

The designations were first printed on cloth during the war, but were later Embroidered on Felt.

Examples of Cloth Shoulder Titles


Standard Sized, Navy Blue Printed on Scarlet Cloth (With Black Cloth Backing)

Standard Sized, Navy Blue Embroidered on Scarlet Felt (With Khaki Cloth Backing)


Smaller, Navy Blue Embroidered on Scarlet Felt (No Backing)

M Comerford - January 2005