Assorted Units of the AMF & 2nd AIF

Index of Units on THIS page. Click the Links

Convalescent Depots (cont'd from previous page)

For details on these patches

For details on these patches

For details on these patches

For details on these patches

For details on these patches

Convalescent Depots (contd)

• 1324. 113th Aust. Convalescent Depot: Ref AWM colour patch file card register. An
  example exists in the J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM. 5 BOD records that stocks of
  colour patches for this unit were still being held in December 1946, although it has not
  been possible to confirm whether these were stocks of No. 1324 or 1332.

Note: The authority for No's 1325 to 1332 inclusive is GRO 321/1942, 14.8.1942.

• 1325. Queensland L of C Area, 1942-1945:
• 1326. New South Wales L of C Area, 1942-1945:
• 1327. Victoria L of C Area, 1942-1946:
• 1328. South Australia L of C Area, 1942-1945:
• 1329. Western Australia L of C Area, 1942-1945:
• 1330. Tasmania L of C Area, 1942-1944:
• 1331. Northern Territory L of C Area, 1942-1945:
• 1332. New Guinea L of C Area, 1942-1945:

Note: Administrative cadres for Red Cross convalescent homes were classified as miscellaneous units, and wore the colour patch of the headquarters of the L of C Area to which they belonged.

These units initially existed as cadres attached to field ambulances, and were raised on the outbreak of war as Garrison Companies AAMC, being redesignated 'Fortress' on mobilization. Between August and October 1942 they were disbanded or reorganized as Camp Hospitals. Authority for No's 1333 to 1342 inclusive is GRO 321/1942, 14.8.1942.

• 1333. 1st Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Brisbane Fixed Defences, reorganized as 56th Aust. Camp Hospital.
• 1334. 2nd Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Sydney Fixed Defences, reorganized as 57th Aust. Camp Hospital.
• 1335. 3rd Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Port Phillip Fixed Defences, reorganized as the 58th and 62nd Aust. Camp Hospitals.
• 1336. 4th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Adelaide Fixed Defences, reorganized as 59th Aust. Camp Hospital.
• 1337. 5th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Fremantle Fixed Defences, reorganized as 60th Aust. Camp Hospital.
• 1338. 6th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Hobart Fixed Defences, disbanded and personnel absorbed by other fixed defences units.
• 1339. 7th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC: No authority has been located for this colour patch, although an example exists in the J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM. Formed part of the Sydney-Kembla Fixed Defences but was apparently disbanded prior to August 1942. In passing, a 7th Fortress Company AAMC had initially existed in Darwin on the outbreak of war but was absorbed by 119th General Hospital in March 1941.
• 1340. 8th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Newcastle Fixed Defences,
  reorganized as 61st Aust. Camp Hospital.,
• - 9th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC: No colour patch was allocated to this unit. Located at Port Moresby and reorganized as 46th Aust. Camp Hospital in March 1942.
• 1341. 10th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Torres Strait Fixed Defences,
  disbanded and absorbed by fixed defences units and 6th Aust. Camp Hospital.
• 1342. 11th Aust. Fortress Company AAMC, 1942: Part of Townsville Fixed Defences.

Auth: GRO 321/1942,14.8.1942. The actual operation and running of ambulance trains was undertaken by civilian personnel of the various state railway systems.

• 1343. Queensland L of C Area, 1942-1945: 
  • 1st and 5th Aust. Ambulance Trains.
• 1344. New South Wales L of C Area, 1942-1945: 
  • 2nd Aust. Ambulance Train. The 4th and 7th Aust. Ambulance Trains were disbanded prior to the approval of colour patches.
• 1345. Victoria L of C Area, 1942-1945: 
  • 3rd, 6th, and 8th Aust. Ambulance Trains.
• 1346. South Australia L of C Area, 1942-1944: 
  • 9th and 11th Aust. Ambulance Trains. The 12th Aust. Ambulance Train was disbanded prior to the approval of this patch.
• 1347. Western Australia L of C Area, 1942-1944: 14th Aust. Ambulance Train.
• 1348. Tasmania L of C Area, 1942-1944: 13th Aust. Ambulance Train.
• 1349. Northern Territory Ambulance Train, 1942-1944:

1. Comprised of: 
   1. Advanced Depots Medical Stores; 
   2. Base Depots Medical Stores; 
   3. LHQ Base Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores; 
   4. 1st and 2nd Aust. Base Sub-Depots Medical and Veterinary Stores; 
   5. L of C Area Depots Medical and Veterinary Stores; 
   6. L of C Area Sub Depots Medical and Veterinary Stores; 
   7. LHQ Depot of Dental Stores. Auth. GRO 321/1942, 14.8.1942.

• 1350. Land Headquarters:
• 1351. Queensland L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores:
• 1352. New South Wales L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores: Retained as part of the postwar Regular Army, becoming 2 Base Medical and Dental Stores Depot in 1967 and 232 Supply Company RAAOC in 1973.
• 1353. Victoria L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores: Retained as part of the postwar Regular Army, becoming 3 Base Medical and Dental Stores Depot in 1967.
• 1354. South Australia L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores:
• 1355. Western Australia L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores; 
  • Western Command Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores:
• 1356. Tasmania L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores: Disbanded in 1947.
• 1357. Northern Territory L of C Area: Although both CCF and NSW manufactured examples of this patch exist, no such unit was raised as part of NT L of C Area. The medical stores function was carried out at various stages by the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 106th Aust. Advanced Depot Medical Stores, which were LHQ units and possibly wore No. 1350.
• 1358. New Guinea L of C Area Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores: Disbanded on 31.12.1942, absorbed by NG Force Depot Medical and Veterinary Stores.

Units included: 

• 1359. Land Headquarters:

• 1360. Queensland L of C Area:

• 1361. New South Wales L of C Area:

• 1362. Victoria L of C Area:

• 1363. South Australia L of C Area:

• 1364. Western Australia L of C Area; 

  • Western Command:

• 1365. Tasmania L of C Area:

• 1366. New Guinea L of C Area:

• 1367, Dental Units, 2nd AIF, 1940-1943: Auth. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 9813, 20.2.1940.
  Superseded by No. 13 76 in July 1943.

• 1368. AAMC (Dental Services), 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 321/1942, 14.8.1942. The first reference was an '0' Branch Minute dated 16.7.1942 which notified approval, and the placing of the initial order with the CCF. Prior to the introduction of this patch, personnel of Dental units had worn No. 1242.

• 1369. Unidentified: Compressed felt, origin of manufacture not identified.

• 1370. Unidentified:

• 1371. Unidentified:

• 1372. Unidentified:

Note: Examples of an AAMC 1st Aust. Army patch are believed to exist similar to No. 13 72, but have not yet been sighted by this writer.

• 1373-1374. Reserved.

Raised in April 1943 from the Australian Army Medical Corps (Dental). (GRO G.316/1943, 23.4.1943. Pt III GRO A.681, 18.12.1942.)  The title 'Royal' was granted in 1948. Absorbed all dental units and dental stores units, and all personnel serving in dental appointments on the headquarters of formations or with units.

• 1375. Aust. Army Dental Corps, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 520/1943, 9.7.1943.

Existed between the World Wars as an inactive Reserve and was not mobilised until 1939. The title 'Royal' was conferred in 1948 and the Service became the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps in 1951, absorbing the Aust. Army Medical Women's Service. Personnel of the AANS wore the colour patch of the unit or formation headquarters to which they were posted.

A voluntary organization jointly trained and organized by the Order of St John and the Australian Red Cross Society. They commenced work in military hospitals on the outbreak of war and from January 1941 were paid. Full time duty Voluntary Aids serving with the AMF were enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women's Service in December 1942. The first batch of Tasmanian VA's enlisted for the Middle East are noted to have been wearing the colour patch of AAMC 1st Aust. Corps prior to embarkation.

• 1376. Voluntary Aids, AIF (Middle East), 1942: Auth. HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 3800, 9.3.1942. On 26.12.1942, AIF Order(ME) No. 1405 directed VA's to wear the colour patch of the hospital or headquarters to which they were posted. Stocks of this colour patch were stated to be obsolete by LHQ Memo No. 148131, 31.8.1943.

Raised in December 1942 from a nucleus of Voluntary Aids serving on full time duty with the Australian Army. (GRO A.681, 18.12.1942.) Disbandment of the Service commenced in October 1945, and its role was taken over by the RAANC in 1951. Personnel of the AAMWS wore the colour patch of the unit or formation headquarters to which they were posted. Service identity was maintained by the wearing of an embroidered or blackened metal title 'AAMWS' on the shoulder straps of the uniform. The only 'units' of this service were AAMWS Barracks.

The Citizen Force branch of this Corps was raised on 1.7.1925 in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Military District's only. Initially only Ammunition and General Stores Companies were raised, these were followed by Workshop Companies in 1930. The AAOC(M) was raised in 5th Military District in mid 1938, and in 6th Military District at the beginning of 1939. The workshop companies amalgamated with the AAOC(P) in 1941 and at the end of 1942 formed a separate corps as the Aust. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The AAOC was granted the title 'Royal' in 1948.

• 1377. Ordnance Companies, AAOC, 1925-1930; Aust. Army Ordnance Corps (Militia), 1930-1942: Auth. AAO 442/1925, 26.9.1925.

• 1378. AAOC 1st Aust. Corps, 1939-1943: Auth. Colour chart promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. 

  • Included 

    • Army Field Workshops; 

    • HQ AA Brigade Workshop; 

    • AA Regiment Workshop Section; 

    • LAA Regiment Workshop Sections; 

    • 1st Aust. Ordnance Field Park; 

    • 2/10th Aust. Ordnance Field Park; 

    • Mobile Laundry and Forward Decontamination Unit; 

    • Light Aid Detachments.

• 1379. AAOC 6th Aust. Division, 1939-1943:

• 1380. AAOC 7th Aust. Division, 1940-1943: Ref. N. Comd memo 22008, 22.8.1940. 

• 1381. AAOC 8th Aust. Division, 1940-1945: With few exceptions the ordnance units of
  this formation were captured in Singapore in February 1942. Units included independent brigade ordnance workshops and independent brigade ordnance field parks. Stocks of this patch were still held in 5 AOD in Adelaide in October 1946.

• 1382. AAOC 9th Aust. Division, 1940-1942: Ref. MGO Order No. 828, notified in AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 80171 of 3.12.1940.

• 1383. AAOC Aust. Base and L of C Units, 1939-1943: Auth. Colour patch chart promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. 

  • Included 

    • Ord. Provision Section AIF(ME); 

    • HQ Aust. Base Ordnance Depot; 

    • HQ Aust. Advanced Ord. Workshops; 

    • L of C Recovery Sections; 

    • Aust. Port Workshop Detachment; 

    • AIF(ME) Officers Shops; 

    • Local Purchase Office; 

    • Ord. Workshop Companies; 

    • Ord. Store Companies; 

    • Ord. Ammunition Company; 

    • HQ, Det. Base Ammunition Depot;

    • Aust. Wings, Base and Advanced Ordnance Depots and Workshops, RAOC.

• 1384. AAOC 1st Aust. Corps, 1943: Auth. LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 39764, 9.3.1943. Both CCF and NSW manufactured examples exist.

• 1385. AAOC 2nd Aust. Corps, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 206/1942, 17.7.1942.

• 1386. AAOC 3rd Aust. Corps, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 206/1942, 17.7.1942.

• 1387. Reserved.

• - AAOC 1st Aust. Division: On 12.7.1942 an order for manufacture was provided to the CCF for the provision of colour patches to AAOC units of 1st Aust. Division. It has not however been possible to confirm the design of these patches.

• 1388. AAOC 3rd Aust. Division: No authority has been located for this colour patch, nor any confirmation that it was worn.

• 1389. Unidentified: NSW manufacture, Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1390. AAOC 9th Aust. Division, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 225/1943, 12.3.1943.

• 1391. AAOC 9th Aust. Division: Noted only in miniature form at this point.

• 1392. AAOC 1st Aust. Motor Division, 1942: Ref LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 63496, 19.6.1942, placing an order with the CCF for the initial supply of these patches.

• 1393. AAOC 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade Group, 1942-1943: MGO Branch Line Drawings, pp 25-29, identify this patch as being for all ordnance units of 1st Aust. Armoured Division, however there has been no evidence located to support this, particularly in view of the existence of No. 1394. It seems more likely that this patch was worn from November 1942 by simply inverting No. 1395 which was already being worn by 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade Group Ordnance Company when it transferred from 2nd Motor Division to 1st Armoured Division, and continued in use for a period following its conversion to 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade Workshops AEME. It would have also been worn by light aid detachments attached to units of this
  brigade group.

• 1394. AAOC 1st Aust. Armoured Division, 1941-1943: Ref 'Composition of Australian
  Armoured Division-showing the Colour Patches of the Units within the Division'. (AWM 54, item 44/2/12. File is undated but certainly compiled prior to May 1942 as it shows that artillery and motor regiments have not yet been allotted to the division.) The coloured chart shows this patch as being allotted to the following:

  • (a) Divisional units:

    • Light Aid Detachments; 

    • 1st Aust. Armoured Division Ordnance Field Park;

    • 1st Aust. Armoured Division Ordnance Workshop. The majority of these units were absorbed into the AEME in December 1942.

  • (b) Non-divisional units attached:

    • 1st Aust. Armoured Division Section, 

    • Armoured Corps Ordnance Field Park;

    • 1st Aust. Armoured Division Section, 

    • Armoured Corps Ordnance Workshop.

  • Examples exist of CCF, NSW and WA manufacture. It might be noted however that as late as September 1942 no colour patch had been allotted to 226th Aust. LAD (17th Aust. Motor Regiment, Support Group), and the 294th Aust. LAD (15th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade) was still wearing No. 1377.

• 1395. AAOC 2nd Aust. Motor Division, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942.

• 1396. AAOC 3rd Aust. Armoured Division: Ref MGO Branch Line Drawings, pp 34, 35. There appears to be no evidence that this colour patch was supplied or worn, although reproduction examples have been noted. There is no doubt that a design was submitted for approval as part of the divisional scheme in September and October 1942, however it would have become a victim of the decision to form the AEME, which involved the transfer of almost every AAOC unit in the division to the new Corps. The only exception were the ordnance field parks which formed an integral part of the establishment of armoured and motor brigade group workshops
  AEME.

• 1397. AAOC 3rd Aust. Army Tank Brigade: Ref, MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.36. This colour patch was never approved or supplied, although fake examples exist. MGO Order No. 3724, submitted on 11.2.1943 for the initial supply of colour patches for brigade troops of this formation makes no mention of a patch for either the AAOC or AEME. As above, the ordnance field parks were absorbed into the establishments of 3rd Aust. Army Tank Brigade Workshop and its associated 3rd Aust. Infantry Tank Workshop AEME on 1.12.1942.

• 1398. 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park AAOC: Ref. Draft GRO's dated 13.3.1943.(AA(Vic): MP 742/1, item 61/13/18.) Although this patch was deleted prior to publication of this GRO, it was manufactured in NSW and examples exist in the J.A. Ryan (AWM) and Victoria Barracks Collections. This unit also formed an integral part of 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Workshop AEME, although in this case there is no reason to suppose that the colour patch was not issued, however briefly.

• 1399. AAOC 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade, 1943-1946: Ref. 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade War History, Appendix B,,154 and the 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regimental Group Association. Worn by 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park and the 1st, 2/4th, 2/5th, and 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regiment Ordnance Field Parks.

• 1400. Unidentified: CCF and NSW supplied examples exist and the patch was worn, although the unit has not been positively identified.

• 1401. AAOC New Guinea Force, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 3 70/1942, 4.9.1942.

• 1402. AAOC New Guinea Force: NSW and WA manufactured examples exist, the former in the J.A. Ryan (AWM) and Victoria Barracks collections. Worn miniature examples have been noted.

• 1403. Unidentified: NSW manufacture and worn.

• 1404. Unidentified: CCF manufacture and worn.

Note: The two following colour patches were introduced in December 1942 for all units of the AAOC regardless of the formation to which they belonged, and superseded all existing approved AAOC colour patches with the exception of No. 1390. On 9.3.1943 LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 39764 directed that existing approved colour patches would continue to be worn while consideration was given to issuing AAOC colour patches in distinctive formation shapes. This direction was cancelled by LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 103502, dated 23.6.1943, which confirmed that only the colour patches approved for AAOC units by GRO 663/1942 would continue to be worn.

• 1405. Aust. Army Ordnance Corps (Field Units), 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 663/1942,
  11.12.1942. For personnel of brigade, divisional and corps AAOC units, including: Ordnance Field Parks; Mobile Laundries and Forward Decontamination Units; Ordnance Beach Detachments.

• 1406. Aust. Army Ordnance Corps (Other than Field Units), 1942-1945: Auth. GRO
  663/1942, 11.12.1942. For personnel of force, army, LHQ or L of C area ordnance
  units, including: 

• 1407. Unidentified: Apparently of CCF manufacture, but the significance of the design is unknown.

• 1408-1410. Reserved.

Created in October 1942 as the Australian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Corps, (GRO G.465/1942,16.10.1942.)  and was redesignated in November 1942. (GRO 0.578/1942, 20.11.1942. Tradesmen on the establishments of all units other than RAE, Sigs., and AASC, were transferred to the Corps on 1.5.1943. (GRO 290/1943).) On 1.12.1942 it absorbed the Mechanical Engineering Branch of the AAOC, subsequently all unit tradesmen responsible for the maintenance of electrical or mechanical equipment were transferred to the AEME with the exception of personnel serving in workshop units of the RAE, Aust. Corps of Signals and the AASC. Workshop units of these Corps did not transfer to the AEME until the postwar period. The Corps was granted the title 'Royal' in 1948.

No's 1411 and 1412 are the only colour patches officially approved for the Corps prior to November 1945. In March 1943 the MGO advised that the subject of issuing AEME colour patches in formation shapes was under review, and that approval for No's 1413 and 1414 could be anticipated. It is probable that this was taken as a general approval, at least by units under control of First Aust. Army, but on 23.6.1943 the MGO advised that approval would not be given for formation shapes, and that the patches approved for the Corps by GRO 663/1942, dated 11.12.1942, would be worn regardless of formation affiliation. There is ample evidence however that this direction was ignored, either officially or unofficially, particularly by units serving with armoured formations.

• 1411. Corps of Aust. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Field Units), 1942-1945:

  • Auth. GRO 663/1942, 11.12.1942. For all personnel and units allotted to a brigade, division or corps, including: 

• 1412. Corps of Aust. Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (Other than Field Units), 1942-1945: 

  • Auth. GRO 663/1942, 11.12.1942. For all personnel and units allotted to LHQ, an army or force, or an L of C area, including: 

• 1413. AEME 1st Aust. Corps, 1943: Auth. LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 39764, 9.3.1943. Superseded by No. 1411 in mid 1943, however 1st Aust. Corps minute G/3360/SD of 21.5.1944 notes that 2nd Aust. Beach Workshop was wearing the colour patch of AEME 1st Aust. Corps'.

• 1414. AEME 2nd Aust. Corps, 1943: Auth. LHQ (MGO) Memo No. 39764, 9.3.1943. Superseded by No. 1411 in mid 1943.

• 1415. AEME New Guinea Force: No information available. Examples seen to date are of both CCF and NSW manufacture, the latter type existing in the J.A. Ryan (AWM) and Victoria Barracks Collections.

• 1416. Unidentified: Noted only in miniature size at this stage.

• 1417. AEME 3rd Aust. Division:

• 1418. AEME 3rd Aust. Division: Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1419. AEME 6th Aust. Division, 1943: Examples are noted of CCF, NSW and WA manufacture, and stocks were still held in 2 BOD in early 1947. Examples appear in the J.A. Ryan and Victoria Barracks collections.

• 1420. AEME 9th Aust. Division, 1943-1946: Approval for this patch was sought in May 1943 but does not appear to have been given officially. It was manufactured by the CCF and in NSW, examples of the latter appearing in the J.A. Ryan and Victoria Barracks collections.

• 1421. 1st Aust. Armoured Troops Workshop AEME: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.25. Formerly 1st Aust. Armoured Division Section, Armoured Corps Ordnance Workshops AAOC. A CCF manufactured example of this patch has been noted however there is no evidence that it was ever approved or worn.

• 1422. AEME 1st Aust. Armoured Division, 1943-1944; AEME 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade Group, 1944-1945: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, pp 25-28. Stated in this reference to have been for light aid detachments, but it is believed to have been worn by all divisional AEME units. Most examples are of WA manufacture, however NSW supplied examples exist in the J.A. Ryan and Victoria Barracks collections.

• 1423. AEME 3rd Aust. Armoured Division, 1943-1944: Ref. MG0 Branch Line Drawings, p.34. Examples exist in the J.A. Ryan and Victoria Barracks collections.

• 1424. 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Workshop, AEME, 1943-1946: Ref, MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.24. This patch appeared in draft GRO's dated 13.3.1943 and although deleted prior to publication, was manufactured by the CCF and issued to this unit. The 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade War History, Appendix 'B', states that it was also worn by the 1st, 2/4th, 2/5th, and 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regiment Workshops from 1944, and the 1st Aust. Amphibious Armoured Squadron Workshop from 1945.

• 1425. 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regiment Workshop AEME, 1944-1945: Ref. 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regimental Group Association (Tasmanian Branch).

• 1426. Unidentified: Possibly a tank battalion workshop circa 1943-1944, the 2nd and 3rd Aust. Tank Battalion Workshops being allotted to 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade on the disbandment of 3rd Aust. Army Tank Brigade in late 1943.

• 1427. AEME 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade, 1943-1945: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.24. The 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade War History, Appendix 'B', advises that this patch was worn by light aid detachments of the brigade although these were disbanded in March/April 1944 and absorbed by brigade and armoured regiment workshops. It is noted being worn by Major C. Dimond, the DADME, HQ 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade, in July 1944, and by others as late as February 1945.

• 1428. Unidentified: Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1429. Unidentified: J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM.

• 1430-1435. Reserved.
  

Formed in March 1943 (GRO G.209/1943, 12.3.1943.)  by the transfer to it of all personnel serving in units as cooks or in catering appointments, with the exception of members of the AAMWS and cooks serving in units of the AAMC. (GRO A.443/1943, 11.6.1943. This order also directed that members of the AACC were to wear the colour patch of that Corps.)

• 1436. Aust. Army Catering Corps, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 520/1943, 9.7.1943.

• 1437. Reserved.

Note: There is evidence that an unofficial AACC First Aust. Amy patch existed in some quantity, reference to it being located in the LHQ correspondence register, and postwar Eastern Command ordnance holdings. An example is also believed to exist in a private collection, although not yet sighted by the writer.

Raised on 1.8.1937 as a Corps of the Citizen Military Forces, and was granted the title 'Royal' in 1948. Field Cash Offices formed as part of the 2nd AIF were initially directed to wear the colour patch of their formation headquarters, while the staff of the Chief Paymaster AIF wore the patch of the AIF Administrative Headquarters. (Authorities include AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940 for cash offices of the AIF as a whole, and AHQ telegram QO 274, dated 10. 1. 1941 for 8th Aust. Division Field Cash Office.) In early 1943 a distinctive patch was approved for wear by all units and personnel of the Corps regardless of formation affiliation.

• 1438. Aust. Army Pay Corps (Militia), 1937-1943: Auth. AAO 197/1937, 31.8.1937.

• 1439. Aust. Army Pay Corps, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 92/1943, 22.1.1943. For wear by all units and personnel of the Corps, including: 

• 1440. 1st Aust. Corps Field Cash Office: It has not been possible to determine if this patch was worn. Miniature examples exist in light blue.

• 1441. 2nd Aust. Corps Field Cash Office, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 206/1942,17.7.1942.

• 1442. 3rd Aust. Corps Field Cash Office, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 206/1942, 17.7.1942. Shown on the OrBat of October 1942 as 3rd Aust. Corps Command Pay Office.

• 1443. 6th Aust. Division Field Cash Office: This was apparently worn in miniature only, although a full size variation in garter blue has been noted.

• 1444. 9th Aust. Division Field Cash Office, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 225/1943, 12.3.1943.

• 1445. 2nd Aust. Motor Division Field Cash Office, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Reorganised as 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Field Cash Office in March
  1943.

• - 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade Field Cash Office, 1943-1946: According to Appendix 'B', 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade War History, this unit wore No. 538 (HQ 4th Armoured Brigade), and not No. 1439.

• 1446. Second Aust. Army Command Pay Office, 1942-1943: Auth. LHQ(AG) Memo
  No. 108134, 17.9.1942.

• 1447. AAPC, New South Wales L of C Area: J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM.

• 1448. AIF(ME) Base Area and L of C Cash Offices, 1942-1943:

• 1449. AAPC, New Guinea Force: Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1450. Unidentified: Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1451. Unidentified:

Note: Colour patches have been sighted for the 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th Division Field Cash Offices, and for N.T. L of C Area, however these are believed to be fakes undertaken by the same individual, and are not depicted.

• 1452-1455. Reserved.
  

• 1456. Aust. Army Veterinary Corps (Militia), 1926-1942; 

  • Non-divisional units, Aust. Army Veterinary Corps, 1942-1943: Auth. AAO 411/1926, 31.7.1926. 

• 1457. Aust. Army Veterinary Corps, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 672/1943, 17.9.1943. For
  wear by all personnel and units of the AAVC, which by this point comprised only Veterinary Hospitals; Veterinary Hospital and Remount Sections.

• 1458. 1st Mobile Veterinary Section, 1921-1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.

• 1459. 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section, 1921-1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.

• 1460. 3rd Mobile Veterinary Section, 1021-1941: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
  Absorbed by the 3rd Aust. Veterinary Hospital in January 1941.

• 1461. 4th Mobile Veterinary Section, 1921-1941: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
  Absorbed by the 3rd Aust. Veterinary Hospital in January 1941.

• 1462. AAVC 6th Aust. Division, 1939-1940: A substantial number of colour patches for this unit were still held in 2 BOD in early 1947. Formed on 13.10.1939, providing for veterinary officers with HQ 6th Aust. Division and each brigade headquarters. The last evidence of such postings is early January 1941 and it is quite possible that this colour patch was not issued, there being little need for a veterinary section in the mechanised 6th Division.

• 1463. (a) AAVC 1st Cavalry Division, 1921-1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. In August 1942 the 2nd Aust. Cavalry Mobile Veterinary Section advised HQ NSW L of C Area that it had never been issued a colour patch while under command of 1st Cavalry Division, nor on its transfer to NSW L of C Area. It is believed the reason for this was that the original 2nd CMVS located at the Veterinary School, Sydney University, had been reorganized in late 1938 as the 2nd Veterinary Evacuating Station, remaining part of the 1st Cavalry Division and retaining its original colour patch. A new 2nd CMVS was raised as part of the 1st Cavalry Division in September 1939 and by some oversight was apparently never issued a colour patch. No. 1463 was issued to this unit by early 1943, and was being worn on disbandment in May 1943. (See AA(Vic): MP 742/1, item 61/13/30, and AA(NSW): SP 1008/1, item 415/1/831).

  • (b) 2nd and 4th Aust. Cavalry Mobile Veterinary Sections, 1942-1943: These
    units ceased to belong to the 1st Cavalry Division in April 1942, following mechanisation of that division, and served with NSW L of C Area until their disbandment in May 1943. Examples will be seen with grey backgrounds.

• 1464. AAVC 2nd Cavalry Division, 1921-1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.

• 1465-1466. Reserved.

Formed in 1921, staffed entirely by suitably qualified personnel of the Citizen Forces. Absorbed by the Aust. Army Legal Corps in May 1943. From the formation of the Corps until 1935, and certainly from the outbreak of the Second World War, personnel posted to formations as Legal Services Officers wore the colour patch of that formation headquarters.

• 1467. Aust. Army Legal Department, 1935-1943: Auth. AAO 73/1935, 31.3.1935.

Formed in May 1943 by redesignation of the Aust. Army Legal Department as part of a general reorganization of the Army Legal Service. (GRO A.379/1943, 14.5.1943.) 60 Members of this Corps wore the colour patch of the formation headquarters to which they were posted.

Consisted of senior officials of the Commonwealth or State Railways who were commissioned with the rank of Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel or Major, generally on an honorary basis. Wearing of uniform by members of this Corps was optional and no colour patch was approved.

A Provost Staff existed as part of the permanent forces from 1912 but no formed units were raised until the formation of the Second AIF in 1939. These units were initially directed to wear the colour patch of their formation headquarters. Granted the title 'Royal' in 1948 and is currently the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police.

• 1468. LHQ Provost Unit: Military Heraldry Collection, AWM, of CCF manufacture. Although this unit is shown on the Order of Battle, AMF, October 1942, there is no record of it being raised.

• 1469. First Aust. Army Provost Company, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Redesignated 8th Military District Provost Company in April 1946 and was disbanded in June 1946.

• 1470. Second Aust. Army Provost Company, 1942-1945: Auth. LHQ(AG) Memo No. 108134, 17.9.1942. Raised in March 1942. In October 1943 its original personnel were transferred to 12th Aust. Division Provost Company, which was subsequently redesignated Second Aust. Army Provost Company in January 1944. Disbanded on 8.3.1945. Numerous variations in the size of the 'V' exist.

• 1471. 1st Aust. Corps Provost Company, 1940-1945: Auth. Colour patch chart promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. Raised in June 1940 and was retained as part of the postwar Regular Army, being redesignated 3rd Military District Provost Company in February 1948.

• 1472. 2nd Aust. Corps Provost Company, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 206/1942, 17.7.1942. Raised in May 1942 and was disbanded in March 1946.

• 1473. 2nd Aust. Corps Provost Company: Manufacturing error, Military Heraldry Collection, AWM.

• 1474. 3rd Aust. Corps Provost Company, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 206/1942, 17.7.1942. Raised from Western Command Provost Company in July 1942 and was disbanded in March 1946.

• 1475. New Guinea Force Provost Company, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 370/1942, 4.9.1942. Raised in August 1942 by expansion of 30th Aust. Infantry Brigade Provost Platoon, and was disbanded in January 1946.

• 1476. Force Provost Unit, AIF in UK 1940-1941: Raised in June 1940 and was redesignated 9th Aust. Division Provost Company in March 1941. All examples of this colour patch were manufactured in the United Kingdom from woollen broadcloth, although no authority has yet been located.

• 1477. 1st Aust. Division Provost Company, 1942-1946: Auth. AAO 148/194 1, 30.11.1941. The original unit was redesignated Milne Force Provost Company in October 1942, the 10th Aust. Division Provost Company being redesignated 1st Aust. Division Provost Company in December 1942.

• 1478A. (a) 2nd Aust. Division Provost Company, 1941-1945: Auth. AAO 148/1941, 30.11.1941. Examples were manufactured in NSW and stocks with grey backgrounds were held in 2 BOD in early 1947, however HQ 3rd Aust. Corps advised LHQ in January 1943 that this unit was wearing the colour patch of Headquarters 2nd Aust. Division (No. 419). (HQ 3 Aust. Corps Memo Q3/5/3, dated 11. 1. 1943. AA(Vic): MP 742/ 1, item 61/13/8.)  Raised in December 1941 and was disbanded in December 1945.

  • (b) 16th Aust. Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon, 1944: Raised from 2nd Aust. Division Provost Company in May 1944 and was disbanded in August 1944.

• 1478 B. 2nd Aust. Division Provost Company: Western Australian manufactured example, post 1942, although it has not been established that this colour patch was issued.

• 1479. 3rd Aust. Division Provost Company, 1942-1946: Auth. AAO 148/1941, 30.11.1941. Raised in 1942, disbanded in January 1946.

The material on this section of the site is drawn from "Distinguishing Colour Patches of the Australian Military Forces 1915-1951" by Keith Glyde. ISBN 0-6460-36640-8