Ordnance Insignia of the British Army

Ammunition Technician

Extract from Edwards and Langley, British Army Proficiency Badges 1984

In 1960 the new titles of 'Ammunition Technical Officer' (ATO) replacing that of '‘Inspecting Ordnance Officer' (IOO) and 'Ammunition Technician' (AT) that of 'Ammunition Examiner' (AE) Ammunition Technical Officers at this time were still not permitted to wear any trade badge.

The present AT badge was introduced in 1970, and it was decided that for the first time Ammunition Technical Officers were permitted to wear it. Ammunition Technicians made sure that they had a good supply of the older large 'Flaming A' to last them, and continued to wear it. The powers that be had the good sense to agree, allowing both badges to continue. A new small "Flaming A" for Ammunition Technicians and a new smaller ‘Flaming Circle’ for Ammunition Technical Officers

These designs are still worn with pride by the Ammunition Technicians and Ammunition Technical Officers of The Royal Logistics Corps to this day!

Left - Small 1970 Pattern, Ammunition Technician (AT) ~ (EL 118A)

Centre Left - 1970 Pattern, Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) Working Dress ~ (EL 118B)

Centre - Variation of ‘Flaming Circle’ with Khaki centre ~ (EL118*)

Centre Right - Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) Wire Stitched version for No2 Dress

Right - Smaller AT ‘Flaming A’ Badge, based on the ATO ‘Flaming Circle’



Wire & Bullion Versions for use on No 1 & Mess Dress.
(Scarlet were for Mess Dress only, they were worn but not approved by the Army Dress Committee)

Job Description for Ammunition Technician

An Ammunition Technician carries out the inspection, repair, proof testing, modification and disposal of all ammunition, including Guided Missiles, and may be employed on Explosive Ordnance ammunition and explosive matters. There is an element of danger inherent in this trade, although comprehensive training ensures that you handle ammunition and explosive safely, and can advise others to do the same. The work demands a sharp eye for detail and may mean long repetitive inspection or repair tasks. As an Ammunition Technician you could serve throughout the world and may be employed in a depot, or as a member of a small team involved with Ammunition Inspectorate and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Duties.

Ammunition Technicians are instructed in the arts of ammunition disposal and basic EOD during their trade training, but are not introduced to the arts of IEDD till they return to the Army School of Ammunition for their Class 2 upgrading or specialist courses prior to operational deployment.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

It is a misleading to say that Ammunition Technicians are just 'Bomb Disposal Experts' Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) to give it the correct title is only one aspect of an AT or ATOs Job Description. And the type of EOD carried out on Terrorist Devices is a specialist task called Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) Both these tasks are shared with the Royal Engineers .The specialist task of Bomb Disposal is carried out by the Royal Engineers only and is the task of disposing of 'Aircraft Bombs or UXBs'

All ranks of 33 EOD Regiment RE proudly wears its special battle honour, A Yellow and Blue bomb on a Red background. Only fully qualified combat engineers trained in EOD duties can wear the slightly smaller Yellow and Blue bomb on a Khaki background when posted outside of 33 EOD Regiment RE

Visit the Palace Barracks Memorial Garden - http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/Felix%20Memorial%20Garden.htm

Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Badges