Wearing of berets by British Army

dorothea


Joined: 28/06/2010
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 14:19

Has the regulations of the wearing of berets my members of the Briitish Army changed. I retired from the Army in 1982 after serving 23 years. Then we had to wear the badge over the left eye and the beret pulled over to the right and to the rear. I have noticed in recent years that the badge is now over the left ear and the beret pulled to the front. Is this just a trend or have the regulations actually changed.



Dorothea's husband.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 15:00

That was so in my time and the badge over the left eye was to be 1" above the eyebrow. The dress regulations never precisely defined how they were to be worn and often varied unit to unit under the excuse of "regimental custom". I believe one Regiment wore the badge at the back (and it was not Italian !). Individuals also tried to get away with their own style. Berets were dipped in hot and cold water alternatively when new to shrink them to the shape of the head and lesson the overhang to the right ear which was a nuisance when firing weapons at the shoulder. Some of us boiled berets in pots clipping the leather ring to the sides so that only the material shrank. Several times I was ordered to replace my beret as "it looked like a pea on a drum"! Always obeyed the order to buy the new beret but would immediately shrink it in a pot for parade ground cred ! I doubt much has changed. Some of those with hackles over the badges tend to wear the badges in the centre of the head.

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 15:04

Did you save your beret?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 15:15

Brian Msg 2 - The back badge is the right of the Gloucestershire regiment see - http://www.glosters.org - For past gallantry in Egypt.:-

For their gallantry in fighting back to back, the Regiment was given the unique honour of wearing a badge at the back of their caps. This honour has prevailed.

On the 1st February 2007 RGBWLI merged with the DDLI to become 1 Rifles. The regular battalions of the Rifles wear the Back Badge with ceremonial dress, and officers and warrant officers wear it on side hats. The Back Badge is also worn by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles on the ‘shako’.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 15:19

Nope ! Gave my British Warm to my elderly father in law to keep him as warm as toast. Sold all my dress uniforms to Regimental Headquarters to help out the newly commissioned who always face a massive bill for new from Saville Row. Kept all my combat gear and wet suits and that is the only reason I have survived another 27 years married to the Wildebeest (bless her) since retirement !

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 15:29

Flightholiday. I did know that of the "Glorious" Glosters but not in so much detail as you have kindly given. I did not mention them by name as I was one of those cockney "Diehards" who used to ask them if it was worn there so it could be seen which regiment was in retreat. Only joking, I believe that the "glorious" served with distinction in Korea alongside the "Diehards" but my memory of all things military (and many other things) is now somewhat jaded.

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 16:01

The regulations state the badge should be between the left eye and ear, think what you seen was a bit of a fashion statement, RSM,s and CSM,s are not what they used to be. I was put in the unit cells for less.

How ever pipers from the Irish guards have the authority to wear the badge in there curbean between the right eye and ear,

The only other unit to do this is a TA unit (THE LONDON IRISH RIFLES,) they form part of the LONDON REGT.



sundance

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 16:08

Mse 6 deputydawq so you where 1st Bn Middlesex, (DIEHARD MIDDLESEX DIE HARD) I have drink from the loving cup at the silent toast, it is still done at the TA Centre Edgeware by B Queens Regt company ( Middlesex) the London Regt.



Sundance

BigMart


Joined: 26/02/2009
Posts: 423

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 16:44

A beret has to shaped properly or you end up looking like a Matelot wearing a LPH !

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:21

They are all now trying to copy the way the Parachute Regiment Toms have worn their 'Victors' Berets.

Trying to look allie lol!!

Need to have the 'Maroon' on your head to look mean and every man an emperor!!

Craphats don't look the same and agree with the comments that make it look slovenly!!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:31

The local TRNC Army copies the habits of the British Army - do they know about this fascinating thread?

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:32

Your comment is ........priceless Hans!!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:38

Sundance. Yes I was, and I too have drunk from the Loving Cup (perhaps too much) including at Edgware. Indeed the last time I was there I was removed from the telephone box outside Edgware General Hospital at about O Christ Hundred hours a.m. and taken into casualty. The Matron telephoned the Wildebeest in Colindale and told her "your old chap has rendered himself incapable of telephoning for a taxi so would you like to come and collect him or shall we use a stomach pump on him" The Wildebeest was as loving as the Cup but my Mother in law said it might be better if I took my arse back to the Creggan.

Giles


Joined: 16/08/2011
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:42

Lot of STABS about tonight.

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:46

OOOOOOOOOOOUUUCCCH Giles!!

BigMart


Joined: 26/02/2009
Posts: 423

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 17:52

Hans, I thought you had caused enough bad feeling with your tasteless posts on the Armistice thread, keep off of military posts, you just show yourself to be a bigger prat with each post.





My dear Angus, copying the paras !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I don't think so.



When are you back in Cyprus ?



Martin.

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:06

Msg 13, I was the CQMS NRPS at Edgeware after i left the reg,s from June 1993 to March 2003, Here,s a few name that might ring a bell with you, Dave Saunders, Denis cattymold, Les Vile, George Hewitt (RIP) Eggy Hunt, Bill Murphy, there are many more, i,m now the SQMS NRPS with 254 at Hitchin, They where happy days. Can you still sing soldiers of the queen with out a mistake when you can,t stand on your own two feet, if you can you,ll do for me. (GOOD SOLDIER)



Sundance

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:11

Msg 14 there will be a few on here that is still wondering what a STAB is? keep it clean the TA may be monitering this net,



Sundance out K.

dorothea


Joined: 28/06/2010
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:19

For ang1706 message 10



I too wore maroon but a bit before your time. We had to wear our badge over the left eye for parades but I admit to pulling the beret around slightly when there were no seniors about but not around to the left ear. This would have put the bow which should be at the back over the right ear. Are there bows these days.

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:22

Big Mart!!



Well everyone excluding the ones who have to pass a course to earn the right to wear the Green Beret, all wanabe Paras!! Thats why you see more Parasmocks worn by those who have never even served in the Airborne Brigade!



Im over next Thursday for a weekend on the Swally, be in Red Lion after 10 on Thursday and think that Scott is organising a Scottish Night there on Friday as a pre curser for Saint Andrews on Saturday at Dinizkizi, then back to Lebanon on Monday as are waiting on flight details for imminent job in Somalia!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:27

@ msg 16, BigMart: (...) Hans, I thought you had caused enough bad feeling with your tasteless posts on the Armistice thread, keep off of military posts, you just show yourself to be a bigger prat with each post. (...)



▶ Sir. I've been an Officer (Second Lieutenant - and very glad to leave after two years of my precious young life in which I was not allowed to vote for Parliament but requested to die for Queen and country) in the Dutch Army. Don't you tell me not to join any military posts. In uniform you still would have to salute me.

dorothea


Joined: 28/06/2010
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:35

Message 19

Sorry I should have signed as Dorothea's husband

Would hate to be thought of being a Para called Dorothea. What would would the crap hats think.

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 18:39

We all have a sense of humour !!

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 19:14

Well Hans, looked like you 'killed off' another thread!!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 20:47

Hans, if you think that Dutch Army Service was bad I doubt you would have fared any better with any service in the British Army where 2Lts/Lts were allowed to be seen but not heard ! Any attempt to initiate a debate by a subaltern meant instant dismissal from the Mess or to their room. To stay on thread, did you wear a beret, and if so what colour was it ?



Sundance, if you are still doing your bit you obviously love it, so more power to your elbow. I think I could sing, tunelessly, "Soldier's of The Queen" and also equally tunelessly "We are the Middlesex, Diehards are we" etc etc.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 21:06

@ deputydawg msg 25, reply: Shock troops, commanding a heavy mortar peloton of 24 men (four sections of four men, four mortars, four 3-ton trucks, 1 jeep, 1 communications armoured car). Beret, colour: Army green (February 1963-65).

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 21:17

Did you serve anywhere Hans!

Schoie



Joined: 26/12/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 21:50

Paras or Hats the Beret should be worn over the left eye and if you are lucky enough to have a spinless CSM/BSM/SSM and RSM then wear it as a cowboy would!

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
15/11/2011 21:58

Does not matter where its worn as long as you wear the Regimental Badge with PRIDE!!!



Most RSM's are Sandhurst Instructors and it seems alright for them so who are we to complai. I do not think its a sign of a weak CSM etc as times change.



Only a few years ago 'bandido tashes' were in, now hardly a squaddie has a tash!!

Shaven heads were in vogue recently but now they are out of fashion, sensible rules seem to apply and are working!

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 07:14

Only a few years ago 'bandido tashes' were in, now hardly a squaddie has a tash!!

That was until they were deemed a bit 'musical'...

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 09:08

Only wear a beret when Woodpeckers are in Season. I was made to remove my tash as evidently "I looked like a rat hiding behind a scrubbing brush" Now I just look like a wizened rat !

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 17:29

To you old soldiers out there:- When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address: A Recovering Soldier, c/o Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way,

Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2WB. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special people, who have sacrificed so much would get.

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 17:45

Great idea post 32!!



Saw similiar post on FB!

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 17:56

Dutch soldiers had to wear hairnets at times because they had no regulation about length of hair. Also remember Dutch military hed up a NATO exercise in Turkey because they were not allowed to take a break once they had landed from HMS Hermes.

dekski


Joined: 08/11/2008
Posts: 142

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 18:01

Nabody's mentioned the TOS yet

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
16/11/2011 18:05

Good point dekski!



Thats because only the Ruperts would try and wear their badges above the left eye........and looked ridiculous especially ones I saw in Black Watch!

cinders


Joined: 08/10/2011
Posts: 61

Message Posted:
17/11/2011 20:31

Hans, I have experience of Dutch military being attached to Her Majesty's Royal Marines, very nice men and When I was in Holland very nice people, but I never met one who could complete a 9 mile speed march in time ,hair was always in the way. If I remember correctly you were all union members as well . I think enough said ,stay off British military threads were men are men, proud to have served there country, proud of there traditions and proud of there regiments. Sounds like you could'nt wait to get out of your military but that is typical of people who only recognise there worth when you can hide behind them when times are tough.