Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Ammunition Examiner

The forerunner of the Ammunition Technician was the Military Laboratory Foreman of 1886
In 1923 the importance this work was recognised and the trade was accepted by the Army Board, and name changed to 'Ammunition Examiner' (AE for short)
It was not However until 1942 that a specialist badge 'AE in Wreath' was in general use. Only tradesman up to and including full Corporals could wear trade qualification badges at this time. Once you were promoted to Sergeant, you had to remove it. Ammunition Examiners never wore the ‘General A Class Tradesman Badge’ because the ‘AE’ badge predates this by two years.

Authority to wear - ACI 1659/1942

Extract from Edwards and Langley, British Army Proficiency Badges 1984

2 styles of White on Khaki, Ammunition Examiner Trade Badge (EL 90)
The right hand scroll version is the most common.

There was no official issue Brass Ammunition Examiner Trade Badge to wear with Khaki Tropical Dress. So a badge was locally produced (mainly by the AE’s themselves) comprising of a outer wreath from the WOII ‘Crown in Wreath’ Rank Badge, and the A & E from the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers shoulder titles soldered into place. Variations as to type of letters used exist.

Locally produced Brass ‘AE in Wreath’ with backing plate (EL90*)

During W.W.II the trade of 'Assistant Ammunition Examiner' classed as a B Trade was instigated and accepted suitable candidates from Female (ATS) Solders, This carried on into National Service where RAOC candidates were also accepted . An Assistant AE B2 was deemed equivalent to a Regular Ammunition Examiner A3 just out of training, and were permitted to wear the AE badge.

In 1948 a competition was organised to design a new badge for the Ammunition Examiner. Despite there being over 250 entries, none ware adopted. A RAOC staff officer (Later to become Major General, and a future Director of Ordnance Services) was tasked to come up with an acceptable design 'By Monday' It is rumoured that the resulting "Flaming A" Badge bears a passing resemblance to the Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics Logo of the time! It is an impressive achievement anyway, A Red, Black and Gold Flaming Grenade (3" x 2") with the Letter A in the body of the Grenade.

Authority to wear - ACI 37/1950

Left - Large 1950 Pattern, Ammunition Examiner (AE) Trade Badge (EL 118A)

Right - Large 1950 Pattern, Wire and Bullion No1 Dress Version (EL 118A)

Left -Large Gliding Metal Trade Badge with backing plate (EL 118A*)

Right - Large Anodised Aluminium Trade Badge with backing plate (EL 118A*)

In 1950 The Army Dress Committee gave authority for Ammunition Examiners of the rank of Sergeant and above to wear to the ‘Flaming A’ Trade Badge as a ‘Badge of Appointment’

A smaller Green on Beach Brown Backing version of the ‘Flaming A’ Trade Badge was officially produced, (about the same size as the later small AT Badge) presumably for wear by the WRAC. As far is known it was never authorised for wear , as there were never any qualified females to wear them, until 1993, when the trade was opened up to female candidates on the formation of the Royal Logistics Corps. At which time they wore the same badges as their male colleagues.

Un-issued (Woman’s) Green on Beech Brown ‘Flaming A’ Badge (EL 118A*)