Royal Field Artillery/ Royal Artillery Cap Badge?

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by Capt Beekee, Jul 31, 2010.

  1. Capt Beekee

    Capt Beekee Junior Member

    Hi
    Can someone please tell me the difference between Royal Field Artillery/ Royal Artillery cap badges and insignia....if there is any?

    I have a cap badge with the spinning wheel. What is the difference between this and the fixed wheel badges?

    Thanks in advance for any help on the above.
     

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  2. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    As an ex RA man from December '42 till December '44 I believe there was no difference other than individual regiments choosing either one of the two variations.

    In the snap below I don't remember the wheel being able to spin.

    Having said that, I'm quite happy for someone to pop up and tell me otherwise :)

    Ron
     

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  3. Capt Beekee

    Capt Beekee Junior Member

    Hi Ron

    I am not sure if they were modified by individuals or not....could this be a WW1 badge?

    Long shot but did you know a man called ' Jack Pennyfather' in Africa? I believe he became a Battery Sgt Major. He married into our family.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  4. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Chris

    Long shot but did you know a man called ' Jack Pennyfather' in Africa? I believe he became a Battery Sgt Major. He married into our family.



    Sorry................... I remember all my Sgt.Major's names and Pennyfather wasn't one of them :)

    As far as modification is concerned, I doubt if individuals would have been allowed or have been capable of making what would have been a difficult job, but again, I am open to contradiction.

    Ron
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Ron

    Do you know why the RA used this cap badge?

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Rob

    I think we've discussed this before somewhere on the forum, perhaps someone can find the thread ?

    In the snap below I'm sporting the "grenade" but for the life of me I can't remember what the significance was or the ruling on which badge was worm.

    I'm sure that someone will come up with the right link that will explain everything :)

    Besat regards

    Ron
     

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  7. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    As i understand it the RA Grenade (Collar) was used as a cap badge simply because the 'early' gun&wheel badge was considered to big for OR's caps, and the spinning wheel was an adapted version for Officers & Sergeants and often given to wife's as a sweetheart badge.
    Rob
     
  8. Capt Beekee

    Capt Beekee Junior Member

    Hi Rob
    Thanks for the info on the spinning wheel. I have so much stuff infront of me that i dont know anything about, so i am starting as of now to get info.
    Regards
    Chris
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    RFA ceased to exsist before WW2 started. There is a thread on that on here somewhere too.
     
  10. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Gaylor's Military Badge Collecting:
    In 1941 it was felt that the gun badge was too large for the field-service cap and authority was given for the grenade collar badge to be worn in its place
    Its use obviously carried over to the GS Cap.

    Gaylor 's take on the fixed v spinning wheel is that there was no distinction, badges of either type could be issued.

    The RA gun badge was worn pre-war by Field, Coast and Garrison units, also by the RHA at times.
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I was issued a spining wheel cap badge back in the 80's.
     
  12. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    From; An introduction to millitary Badge collecting:

    Things To Look Out For
    Some badges have special editions for officer and sergeant's ranks,
    such as the 'Royal Artillery having a spinning gun carriage wheel. Some regiments even had silver badges made for their officers.
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Mine certainly wasn't for an Officer or Sergeant Rob - I was only 13 at the time.
     
  14. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

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