British Army general Officer's Cap and Badge

[Michael Ryan]

Hi All, The cap in the photo is a recent aquisition and is causing me some consternation. The cap, by Herbert Johnson, is of high quality and 100% right. The badge remains unidentified by me. It comprises a RAF style Eagle executed in gold embroidery surmounting a vertical oval red field with gold embroidered edge, all on a shaped blue/black field. The central device is a gold embroidered Sea Horse. judging by the fade, the badge has been on the cap for a long time. There is no evidence of the outline fade of a GO's cap badge. The buttons show a flighted eagle of AAC style and again, have been on the cap for a considerable time. Can anyone identify this cap, its badge or give any other information regarding the cap please?? With thanks, regards and best wishes Michael R

[StefanM]

Found online:

British 21st Army Group 1944-1945
27th Armoured Brigade’s badge was a dark blue shield, bearing a white sea horse with a yellow spine.

Maybe your fine cap is related to a later successor regiment.....just a wild guess



From IWM:

History note

The sign, a sea horse, was presumably chosen to reflect the specialist role of the Brigade and the cavalry origins of the constituent regiments. Formed on 26 November 1940 by redesignation of 1st Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade. It served initially as part of 9 Armoured Division but transferred to 79th Armoured Division on 8 September 1942. When this Division reorganized in April 1943 to provide armoured assault equipment for the invasion of NWE the Brigade was used for experiments in this connection. It finally adopted the role of providing double decal (Duplex Drive) swimming tanks to enable the provision of armoured support with the first waves of the invasion. The Brigade left 79th Armoured Division at the beginning of October 1943 and became an independent armoured brigade of 2nd Army, coming under command of 3 Infantry Division for D-Day. It was probably at this time that the brigade sign was adopted. It seems to have been known colloquially, and unkindly, as "the pregnant pilchard". After the landings, the Brigade was used as a standard armoured brigade, under command of I Corps for the battle of Caen. The Brigade was disbanded on 30 July 1944 and the constituent regiments posted to other formations.


Physical description

A yellow seahorse edged in white on a saxe blue shield. This example facing right.

Update:

Herbert Johnson still exists so may be worth dropping them an email, details below

Herbert Johnson & Co (London) Ltd
25 Blenheim Avenue
West Raynham
Fakenham
Norfolk NR21 7JP

Tel: 01328 838906/01328 838900
Fax: 01328 838889
e-mail: enquiries@herbert-johnson.co.uk

[Michael Ryan]

Hi 4thskorpion, Thank you for your very prompt response to my enquiry. The badges are very similar although the field colours are different. I none-the-less greatly appreciate your imput into this question. There is, no doubt, a logical answer and you may be 100% correct but I will keep an open mind on the subject and see if anyone else has an opinion. Thank you once again and if I can return the favour, please have no hesitation in asking!! Regards and best wishes Michael R

[Walkwolf]

The insignia reminds me of the 'Amphibious Training Command' patch:


WW II Gi D Day Amphibious Forces Sea Horse Embroidered Patch Normandy | eBay

military commands patches page 1

[Michael Ryan]

Hi Steve, Thank you for taking the time out to respond. Agreed but why as a cap badge with an eagle on a general officer's cap?? Strange!! Many thanks and regards Michael R