Hello All,
Here are some simple ‘snapshots’ of the current issue period Royal Australian Artillery insignia set for Other Ranks. The undersized headdress badge shown here (below the hat badge), is the beret-sized item approved for wear by RAA Other Ranks. Note that the curent Army Dress Manual (ADM), indicates that Commissioned Officers are to use bullion badges when wearing a beret. N.B. A separate article on bullion beret badges will follow later.
For now, it probably suffices to say here, that ‘bullion and metal’ beret-sized insignia for wear by serving members of the RAA, have been recorded in various editions of the Australain Army’s Dress Manuals for more than 50 years. For example, gilt metal ORs’ beret badges with a ‘King’s Crown’, can be seen in circultion at militaria fairs from time to time, as can KC versions of the bullion badges. Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish between Australian Army items and British Army issue items of the same type/size… and comparison images of the earlier period items and their ‘pedigree’, will be the subject of a follow-on article.
Note also, that there are two variations of the post 1997 period ORs’ collar badges featured in the above images. As will be seen from those reference collection images, one collar badge variant is ‘flat-backed’ and the other variation is fully couter-struck.
No doubt, collectors will be sourcing RAA metal and bullion beret badges for their collections, while some with ‘Pavitt Syndrome’ will no doubt be collecting the collar badge variants as well:)
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 