Battledress

Battledress (BD) was issued in three patterns. All but one of the uniforms in this photograph, appear to be 1940 (Austerity). Embroidered patches tended to be used for ‘best’ uniform, which would be saved for parade and ‘walking out’. Printed patches were more often seen on working BD, although supply of uniform, austerity pressures and other factors likely means there was no definitive arrangement. More specific details are given in sections further down the page.

Denims

Denims were issued as work clothing. These are loose-fitting, made of tough fabric and could be worn over BD. Ideal for hard and dirty daily work and general fatigue duties. Denims are not badged. The Standing Order from 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment War Diary and Part 1 Orders April 1944, states:

" Denims to be worn for training and maintenance "

The wearing of denims carried over into combat, frequently being seen in photographs, and often in combination with a leather jerkin.

‘Tanker’ or ‘Pixie’ Suits

Crews also used the standard Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) issue ‘Tanker’ or ‘Pixie’ Suit, which were a warm cover-all / boiler suit, particularly suited for colder months. These had a hood, strong straps which could be used to pull a man from the vehicle, while the legs could be zipped together so it became more like a sleeping-bag.

In a 2002 newspaper article, Trooper John Young describes how they managed to stay warm the winter of 1944/45,

" After a mediocre summer and autumn, winter came with an unexpected harshness.  Often our boots almost froze to the steel floor of our "home" (the inside of their armoured car).  We wore three battle dresses, tank suit and leather jerkin over our woolen underwear, so that we resembled Michelin men, hardly able to squeeze through the turret hatches. "

Read the full article about John Young’s experiences…

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Shoulder Titles, Division Patch, Arm of Service and Rank

Shoulder Titles

Should be on a recce / mid-green background. Some were embroidered in yellow thread, some were printed. The shoulder title should be positioned along the top seam of the sleeve – within minimal / no gap.

Lightly adapted from information in The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II, ELI 152 Richard Doherty (By)

The original 'Reconnaissance Corps' shoulder title was authorized in July 1942. Only two months later authority for such distinctions was withdrawn throughout the Army on security grounds.  However, in June 1943, Army Order 905 restored the use of shoulder titles across the Home Army (supposedly after the intervention of Prime Minister Winston Churchill), and the Corps adopted one with the single word 'Reconnaissance'.

Wessex ‘Wyvern’ Division Patch

The backing is very dark blue, not black. Both embroidered and printed examples existed in period, with a well-informed source advising that the embroidered type was ‘private-purchase’.

The Wyvern is centered under the shoulder-title, leaving a gap to the top corners of Division Patch approximately equivalent to the height of the shoulder-title.

An original Wessex Wyvern Division Patch:

Arm of Service

The Arm of Service (AoS) is recce / mid-green and yellow, with the green element to the front. Positioned below the Division Patch and again leaving a gap approximately equivalent to the height of the shoulder-title. Many reproduction AoS stripes are supplied on a khaki backing which is larger than the stripe itself. Technically, these are not correct for the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, although may be for other reconnaissance regiments. Note the Standing Order from 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment War Diary and Part 1 Orders 28 May 1944, which states very clearly:

" Arm of service strips to be sewn direct to sleeves "

An original printed Division Patch with AoS below. Note that the Wyverns both face the same direction and are not ‘handed’:

Rank

Lance Corporal, Corporal and Serjeant stripes were worn on both upper sleeves, positioned so that the top roughly aligned with the bottom of the AoS:

Staff Serjeant rank stripes sat a little lower on the sleeve to allow the cloth crown to fit above the stripes but below the AoS.

Warrant Officers Class 2 and Class 1 wore their cloth rank emblems on both lower right sleeves, above the cuff.

Officers wore cloth star and crown insignia on both epaulettes, usually on a recce/mid-green backing however uncoloured austerity insignia may also have been worn.

Berets and Cap Badges

Berets

The 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment initially wore khaki berets throughout conversion and training in England, to which was added a 2″ square green baize badge backing prior to D-Day in June 1944. The 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment landed in Normandy and fought the majority of the Northern European Campaign of 1944-45 wearing the khaki beret. The standard black beret of the Royal Armoured Corps was not finally adopted until April 1945.

Reinforcements, including those from 161st Reconnaissance Regiment after the Derrycunihy disaster, may have arrived wearing the black beret but were instructed to change for the khaki version, as long as stocks could be sourced. The 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment War Diary and Part 1 Orders for 15th July 1944, states,

" New stock of Khaki berets and green badge backing available "

Shortly after the war ended, photographs show 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment personnel wearing the black RAC beret.

Cap Badges

The Other Ranks Reconnaissance Corps cap badge was gilding metal or brass.

Officers in the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment wore silver cap badges.
Officers in other reconnaissance regiments wore a range of cap badges including bi-metal (with gilt spear and nickel-plated lightning flashes and scroll), bronze, or unique designs with a red Scottish Lion (15th (Scottish) Division) or a white metal Yorkshire Rose (49th (West Riding) Division).

Example of an OR’s cap badge