Hello All,
This post on the topic of: rank and trade insignia used by the Australian Army (post 1953)… provides images of some Scottish Dress items worn by Band personnel in several Australian Army Units with formal links to the British Army. The first item (shown below), is an Other Ranks’ sporran from the 30th Battalion (The NSW Scottish Regiment) which is linked to the very well known ‘Black Watch’.
Note that the cantle (in silver plated metal) on this sporran, shows mounting holes for the Unit’s full size Black Watch headdress (glengarry) badge… the Celtic design of that badge fits precisely into the centre of the cantle face (effectively closing up the gap in the raised edge border at the lower centre of the cantle). That version of the sporran was worn by Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers Class 1 of the Battalion. A careful look at the cantle face in this image, discloses a surface wear ‘shadow’ which matches the shape of the full size glengarry badge… indicating that these sporrans were reconfigured for differing ranks and issued for use as required by the Unit.
The second item is a solid silver ‘Colonel’s Piper’ badge. According to current research, this Piper’s brooch for the Sydney University Regiment (SUR) Band, is awarded to only one junior piper at any given.
N.B. A very small silver assay mark is situated along the ventral centre line, approximately 20mm above the lower catch.
We trust that images of these fairly uncommon insignia, will be useful to collectors and military historians alike.
Yours in research and collecting
The Authors
“Metal Uniform Embellishments of the Australian Army”
Post 1953 (the ‘QEII’ era) Volumes 1 and 2
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To quote an old friend:
“If you are able to read this, thank a teacher.
If you are able to read this in English, thank a soldier.”
charliebravobooks 