A bit like a football fan’s scarf, it identifies who you are and what you are. When you have lots of different corps and regiments together you will see people gravitate towards their own cap badge.”

The design for the Army Special Operations Brigade formation flash is inspired by the badge of the Special Service Brigade. The Special Service Brigade was a formation of the British Army during the Second World War. Some designs relate to the function of the corps or regiment that the badge belongs to. Here on the Royal Artillery cap badge a gun is incorporated into the design. The badge overall is a distinctive triangular shape, and easily identified, even in a blurred photograph. The Ranger Regiment is an important contribution of the Army’s new global posture and was established as part of Future Soldier, the biggest transformation of the British Army in over 20 years. Large book, uses hundreds of portrait and other photographs as the primary source; good for identifying if equipment carried is unusual, and might indicate a specialist e.g. tank crew, machine gunner, etc.A booklet full of information on dating uniforms, including within the years 1914–18; also covers rank badges. A detailed source for uniforms, sadly not in print; a companion volume by the same author covers German Army Uniforms. As we prepare to celebrate the Coronation, we will not forget the steadfast support shown by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to her Armed Forces.”

The Regiment, initially announced earlier this year, will stand-up on 1 December 2021, commencing cadres and training for its four battalions. The Ranger Regiment cap badge From Scarlet to Khaki – Understanding the Twentieth Century British Army Uniforms in Your Family Album by Jon Mills Illustrated book showing most known examples; shoulder titles can sometimes pinpoint a specific unit, such as a battalion, battery or field ambulance Illustrated with photographs of actual badges, in full colour, plus some notes on how they were worn, and other badges. The Army Special Operations Brigade will contribute to collective deterrence by training, advising and if necessary, accompanying partner forces across the world.

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Detachable badges in metal or cloth are a key element of military uniforms. They can be worn on a cap, collar, shoulder, arm, or cuff. They can be stitched, or attached with brass pins or ‘sliders’. They can identify the rank of the serviceman, their particular regiment or ship, qualification or specialist trade, and distinguish those with gallantry awards, long service or who have been previously wounded. Servicemen may also wear badges of larger formations (such as Brigades, Divisions or Armies), within which their unit is currently serving. It follows that badges on military uniforms change throughout military service, and can help identify and date portrait photographs.