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from "Badges and Insignia of
the British Armed Services."
Machine gunners:
"The development of automatic weapons also brought fresh badges. In
1917 the first class marksman for the Lewis gun and the Hotchkiss gun
wore the initials LG and HG respectively over laurel sprays. In 1921 LG
became the initials for the light machine gunner. The initials MG, which
had indicated the heavy machine gun branch, changed by 1944 to indicate
the medium machine gun marksman. The machine gunners also had variations
to mark their skill-at-arms and their competition badges included the
grades for skill in shooting which were marked by crossed rifles. A star
over the MG in a wreath was worn by the best man in each MG squadron or
support company."
Artillerymen -
special duties:
"Qualification badges in skill-at-arms for artillery include many
with letter and laurel sprays or wreath. The L worn on the upper arm of
layers is well known, having been worn early in the century. The H for
height-taker became an anti-aircraft skill in 1939. The cursive R for
range-taker first class of artillery and infantry goes back to 1914. The
O in a wreath marked the qualified observer from 1915 up to 1921. The
plotter of the Royal Artillery (including WRAC personnel) as well as the
predictor members of the anti-aircraft artillery took the cursive P over
laurel sprays about 1939. The first-class gunner in the Royal Tank Corps
wore the G in the wreath and the introduction of anti-tank guns brought
a new badge for the gun-layer (not in the artillery) of a Roman AT over
the laurel sprays."
Special proficiency:
"There are many other badges many of which have now disappeared.
There was the SP for special proficiency worn from 1939 to 1950, the FS
for field security police. There is the propeller for members of the old
RASC fleet and two versions of a diver's helmet, one with SW for shallow
water divers."
Tradesmen:
"When tradesmen in the army were being recognized, their trade was
that as already indicated by their skill-at-arms or proficiency badges.
As they were frequently assumed for the trades it is difficult to say
which wearer is which unless precise dating or circumstances can be
quoted. Some of the oldest badges date before 1864. There is the horse
shoe of the farrier which was worn on his headdress in the 18th century
but much later as an arm badge. As a trade badge the farrier-sergeant wore
the shoe over his three chevrons. The bit was the sign of the saddler
and collar-maker (not in cavalry regiments but artillery, etc.). The
wheel of the wheeler and carpenter could also be worn by as high a rank
as wheeler-major, and in modern times by the pattern maker, the
shipwright, carriage, and wagon repairer as well as wood turner and
machinist. The crossed pincers and hammer of the fitter or smith continue
un use for a variety of trades like armourer, blacksmith, boilermaker,
electrical fitter, engine fitter, and many other fitters, grinder, metal
machinist, and many other trades. This badge can be worn with rank
markings." |
for
details
