Page 71 - RADC Bulletin 2021

Fig 17 – 1970’s officer’s lanyard
Fig 22 – RADC TRF
Convention. Unlike other TRFs in use
it does not specify regimental identity. Consequently, in 2006 the RADC produced its own specific TRF. (Fig 22)
By now, although non-public funded, regulations for TRFs had become specified; overall dimensions are not to exceed 6 x 6cms and are to be worn on the right arm of combat uniform below any para/SAS qualification badge.
Additionally, the internationally recognised Geneva Red Cross TRF is to be worn as an armband on the left arm when authorised. (Fig 23)
In addition to the above items which, whether publicly or non-publicly funded, formed a required part of RADC uniform, there have been a number of other, optional, items of uniform which are purchased at personal expense. These items have all been designed as unique ‘Corps identifiers’ and include:
STABLE BELT
Widely adopted across the Army in the 1950s stable belts are an alternative to issue belts in barrack dress and, in appropriate situations, with combat dress. Originally
the RADC adopted the traditional style of stable belt in Corps colours with two leather
Fig 23 – Geneva Red Cross Arm Band
Fig 18 – FAD officer’s lanyard
pocket. The lanyard’s shade of green has also varied over time as seen in the officer’s lanyard of the 1970s (Fig 17) and the officer’s lanyard issued as part of FAD today. (Fig 18)
BADGE BACKING
Green felt backing to the Corps’ cap badges goes back at least to badges worn on
the General Service Cap (GS Cap) (often known as ‘Caps Ridiculous’) as worn by
the dental officer in BD in fig 16 with the badge and backing shown in Fig 19. The GS Cap was issued to the Army in 1943 for all units except the few at that time who had been authorised specific berets. With the replacement of all GS Caps by berets in the late 1940s, officers and WO1s of the RADC adopted embroidered badges on a green background for their berets whilst all other ranks retained the green felt backing to a metal badge as worn to this day. (Fig 20)
Fig 20 – Soldiers RADC beret badge and backing
TACTICAL RECOGNITION FLASH
Various forms of unofficial unit badges had been worn since the 1940s, however, Tactical Recognition Flashes (TRF) were only officially recognised in 2002 and in 2003
the Army Dress Committee decided that all Regiments and Corps were required to record their TRFs with them.
The first mention of a TRF in RADC Dress Regulations is in the 2004 edition in which it states:
“The TRF for the RADC is the Geneva Red Cross: it is only worn when directed.” (Fig 21)
This referred to the red cross emblem usually worn on an armband to identify medical personnel in the field as being protected individuals under the Geneva
Fig 19 – GS Cap with ADCorps badge and backing
Fig 24 – RADC Stable Belt - original pattern
Fig 21 – Geneva Red Cross
RADC BULLETIN 2021 69