Page 69 - RADC Bulletin 2021

Fig 3 – 1921 pattern badges
Fig 6 – ADCORPS metal shoulder title
of the Corps facings was to change from emerald-green to royal blue. This change was short lived and regimental facings of emerald-green were reinstated 18 months later and remain to this day.
METAL TITLES
At the time of the Corps formation the standard uniform throughout the Army was the Service Dress introduced in 1902 in
the aftermath of lessons learned from the Second Boer War (1899-1902). It changed little before its replacement in early 1939
by Battledress (BD). From 1907 metal titles were worn on the shoulder strap of this uniform denoting the wearers regiment or corps. The Army Dental Corps titles read AD CORPS, were made of brass and were to be positioned 1⁄2 inch from the shoulder straps’ seams with the top of the sleeve. (Fig 6) These metal titles ceased to be worn with the introduction of BD.
Following the replacement of BD with Combat Dress in 1961 and the reintroduction of Service Dress (No 2 Dress) for all ranks, metal shoulder titles were again authorised for wear in some orders of dress. The titles read RADC and were originally in a large (1.2 x 4.6 cms) brass version but are now
in medium (0.9 x 4.1 cms) (other ranks) and small (0.9 x 3.4 cms) (officers) anodised metal versions. (Fig 7)
ARM OF SERVICE STRIP
By 1940, with all ranks now almost indistinguishable in BD a new form of identification was authorised in Army Council Instruction (ACI) No 1118 of 1940. Known as Arm of Service strips these were single or multiple coloured horizontal cloth strips measuring 2” x 1⁄4” initially to be worn at the top of BD blouse sleeves and on greatcoats. The Army Dental Corps was allocated its own distinctive green and white strip. (Fig 8) The strip was to be worn
Fig 8 – ADCORPS Arm of Service Strip
Fig 4 – 1948 pattern badges
Fig 5 – 1954 pattern badges
sword in its mouth within a wreath of laurel ensigned with an Imperial crown. On the lower portion of the wreath a scroll inscribed Ex dentibus ensis. The head of the dragon and the blade of the sword in white- metal, remainder in gilding-metal. Sealed 16th January 1948. (Fig 4) Officers’: in silver plate and gilt.
3. 1954 onwards - As (2) but with St Edward’s crown. Sealed 21st June 1954. (Fig 5) Also anodised.
Figs 3, 4 and 5 also show the smaller, accompanying collar badges (collar dogs). It should be noted that in designs (2) and (3) the dragon’s head in the collar dog worn
on the right is reversed to make a pair of inwards facing badges.
REGIMENTAL FACINGS
From 1921 the AD CORPS’ regimental facings were emerald green and this applied to various aspects of uniform including the lapels and collar of mess kit, the band and welt around No 1 Dress Caps, the side stripe of mess kit overalls and No 1 Dress trousers, the backing of rank badges and the colour of gorget patches worn by staff officers L/AD CORPS or L/RADC. The Special Army Order 167/1946 of 28 November 1946 promulgated the award of the distinction “Royal” for the Corps, however, also directed that the colour
Fig 7 – RADC metal shoulder titles
RADC BULLETIN 2021 67