Page 119 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
D: 9th/12th Lancer. Brass (gm.) on Black Backing Cloth, 27.2mm high, 54mm wide, two loops EW. Worn No.2 Dress
B: 12th Lancer. Brass (gm.) on Black Backing Cloth 25.9mm high, 55mm wide, two loops EW. No.1 & 3 Dress. Made in Ipoh Malaya c.1954
C: 12th Lancer. Embroidered Bullion on Black Backing Cloth. 27.2mm high, 54.2mm wide. Worn No.1 Dress. Made in Germany c.1957
E: 9th/12th Lancer. Embroidered Bullion on Black Backing Cloth. 27mm high,53mm wide. Worn No.1 Dress
There is clearly a scarcity of information regarding the wear of this early badge, and it is unclear exactly when it ceased to be worn. However, it has been suggested that it might have been discontinued late 1930’s on the introduction of Battle Dress (BD) in c.1939. There is no documentary or photographic evi- dence to an Armoured Car Badge being worn again until c 1954. The photograph shown in Fig 3 is of SQMS J.D. Godden in BD wearing the revived pattern Rolls Royce Armoured Car at War- cop Ranges dated c 1954, and the revival of the badge was an- nounced in the Regimental Journal of 1955. The backing cloths worn were often referred to as ‘black’, however it is said the col- our was a very dark blue. It has been suggested the black backing on all the 12L badges was a mark of mourning to mark the pass- ing of the horse! The qualifying criteria for wear was stated as being for Class 1 Tradesmen, and were continued uninterrupted through to 1960. Examples can be seen in Fig.4, Badge C is very similar in design to the brass or gilding metal alloy (gm) version illustrated in the Journal.
The 12L amalgamated with the 9L on the 11 September 1960 at Tidworth, forming the 9/12L. The Armoured Car Badge con- tinued to be worn by the new Regiment although its position of wear had moved to the right lower forearm. It was worn with a black backing cloth, examples shown in Fig 4. I would men- tion that many existing metal, brass or gilding metal alloy (gm) – and embroidered 12L Armoured Car badges continued over into wear on amalgamation. The badge was officially known as the Regimental Trade Badge and the qualification criteria were
Class 1 AFV Crewman, also known as Grade 1 Soldier. It was not worn on the introduction of No 2 Dress in about 1963, although the embroidered badge continued to be worn on No 1 Dress.
In 1969 the 9/12L was the RAC Training Regiment at Cambrai Barracks, Catterick and provided the Armoured Squadron in Berlin. No. 2 Dress was worn regularly for recruit’s drill and the weekly Passing-off the Square and monthly Pass-out Parades. An anodised aluminium, or Staybrite, badge was produced for No 2 Dress and issued by the QMs. This was unpopular with the soldiers because of the ‘cheap’ appearance and subsequently re- placed it with a brass version purchased from the PRI. This was similar to the 12L Armoured Car but was thicker and more re- fined in its production. The anodised badge was of the same size and shape as badge B Fig 4 but with no etched detail, possibly badge D Fig 4. The wear of this badge seems to have continued uninterrupted through to 2015 and amalgamation.
On the amalgamation of The Royal Lancers the Armoured Car Badge was retained again, although the criteria for wear was re- vised by the new Regiment, and an embroidered version is cur- rently worn as a Crew Commander’s Qualification Badge. It is worn by WO2s and below, 1” above the seam on the right cuff of both No 1 and No 2 Dress Jackets. It is understood that as a ‘golden thread’, these badges are supplied at public expense, an example is shown in Fig 4 badge F. There has been no metal version of the badge produced to date. I believe it was initially suggested that an embroidered badge with a ‘Scarlet’ backing
Fig 4 12L,9-12L & RL Armoured Car Badges
A: RTC Armoured Car Companies & later 12th Lancers. Cast Brass 26mm high, 50mm wide, two loops EW. Worn KD & SD
F: Royal Lancers Embroidered on Black Backing Cloth 27mm high, 56.5mm wide (Current) Worn No.1 & 2 Dress
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