Badges of The Royal Canadian Regiment
Shoulder Flashes and Titles

By Capt Michael O'Leary, The RCR
(This article was published in the Regimental Journal of The RCR; Pro Patria 2009)

Preceding articles in this series, published in Pro Patria 2007 and 2008, examined regimental cap badges of The Royal Canadian Regiment. The first article described the evolution and controversy around the Regiment's use of Queen Victoria's cypher on our badges, and the second article covered a variety of rare and unusual badges. While the first two articles in this series have certainly not covered all of the history of our regimental cap badges, this third article will expand the scope of this series to include a look at the history of shoulder flashes and titles worn by the Regiment.

The use of regimental shoulder insignia in the Regiment dates from the period after the Canadian Infantry School Corps was renamed the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. Militia General Order 35, of May 1894, authorized new badges for the Regiment, including:

Shoulder Strap Ornament for Rank and File: The Royal and Imperial cypher (V.R.I.) surmounted by the Imperial crown, for sergeants, water gilt, rank and file, gilding metal; dimensions from top of crest to bottom of ornament, 1 3/4 inches; horizontal width, 1 1/4 inches.

An NCO of the Infantry School Corps, showing that the regiment wore no shoulder badges before 1894. (RCR Museum) Cpl Ernest Glendining, a Maxim machine gunner at Stanley Barracks, Toronto, in 1902. This image shows the use of the Victorian cypher as a shoulder strap badge and the regimental collar badges on the scarlet service tunic. (RCR Museum)

Left: An NCO of the Infantry School Corps, showing that the regiment wore no shoulder badges before 1894. (RCR Museum)
Right: Cpl Ernest Glendining, a Maxim machine gunner at Stanley Barracks, Toronto, in 1902. This image shows the use of the Victorian cypher as a shoulder strap badge and the regimental collar badges on the scarlet service tunic. (RCR Museum)

The Regiment continued to wear cypher shoulder strap badges in the years leading up to the First World War. Officially, and in practice when necessitated by the limited numbers of Victorian badges, the shoulder cypher would change twice, in 1901 and 1911. Despite the changes of reigning sovereigns, and the Militia Department's adherence to the traditional changes of which cypher should be the officially worn badges of the Regiment, a regimental preference for the Victorian emblem prevailed.

The three styles of Royal Cyphers worn by the Regiment as shoulder strap badges between 1894 and 1915. Photos by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection) The three styles of Royal Cyphers worn by the Regiment as shoulder strap badges between 1894 and 1915. Photos by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection) The three styles of Royal Cyphers worn by the Regiment as shoulder strap badges between 1894 and 1915. Photos by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

The three styles of Royal Cyphers worn by the Regiment as shoulder strap badges between 1894 and 1915 during the reigns of Victoria, Edward VII, and George V. Photos by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

This mixing of Royal cyphers, demonstrating regimental stubbornness in resisting change from the Victorian design became moot in 1919. General Order number 53 of that year confirmed that His Majesty King George V was "graciously please to approve of The Royal Canadian Regiment retaining in perpetual use the cypher "V.R.I." on the buttons and badges of the Regiment."

Before the Great War, issues of regimental badging were of concern where the desired use of the Victorian cypher conflicted with the established practice of changing to that of the reigning sovereign.

"At the time of the German warship's [Huerta] visit [1 October 1913], consideration was being given to the Regiment's badges. The designs bearing the V.R.I. cypher of Her Majesty Queen Victoria were still in use in some instances, but had been replaced in others by types bearing the cypher of His Majesty King Edward VII or that of His Majesty King George V. A number of designs were submitted to Lieut.-Col. Fages, but no decision was reached until, as mentioned later in this book, the point was eventually settled by the restoration to the Regiment of the right to use the V .R.I., "in memory of the Sovereign in whose reign the unit was raised and in view of the services the Regiment rendered in the Great War." - The Royal Canadian Regiment; 1883-1983, R.C. Fetherstonaugh, 1936

An excerpt from Pro Patria, published in 1975, provides us a perspective on the state of the Regiment's badges for full dress in the period immediately before the First World War:

"I plainly recall some sixty two years ago, when cleaning our scarlet uniforms, some badges were ER VII, some were GRV on the shoulder straps and cap badge. VRI Emblems were very scarce, but the battle continued for the granting of all ranks to wear VRI badges and buttons. It was through the hard work of Colonel EA Seely Smith and Major HT Cock, MC, that Royalty and the Canadian Government finally granted permanently the VRI Insignia for The Regiment to wear." - Reproduced from a letter by Mr. Dudley Spencer, published in Pro Patria #24, May 1975

The use of the royal cyphers as shoulder strap badges would fall out of use for daily wear once the Regiment reached England on its way from Canada to the trenches in France. The first volume of the regimental history notes the following for September 1915:

"Immediately after settling down in Quested Farm Camp [Sept 1915], the unit began musketry, bombing, and other training for service in France. … At this time the Battalion received its horses and transport wagons; all badges of brass were bronzed; an "R.C.R." shoulder badge was substituted for the familiar "V.R.I."; and extensive changes in the appointments held by officers were effected. Somewhat later, each man was given a C.E.F. number in place of his Permanent Force number, the block allotted running from 477,000 to 478,000; …" - The Royal Canadian Regiment, 1883-1933; R.C. Fetherstonaugh, 1936

First World War shoulder title with the flat cut lugs found on some badges of that period. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

First World War shoulder title with the flat cut lugs found on some badges of that period. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

First World War period shoulder title with a single horizontal bar and angled ends on the letter

First World War period shoulder title with a single horizontal bar and angled ends on the letter "C", a rare example with maker's mark and date: "Caron Bros. 1916". Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Lieut. Rupert Murray Millet, M.C., showing the wearing of regimental badges on officers' service dress during the First World War. (RCR Museum) The inset image shows a colour photo of the flashes on a soldiers tunic.

Lieut. Rupert Murray Millet, M.C., showing the wearing of regimental badges on officers' service dress during the First World War. (RCR Museum) The inset image shows a colour photo of the flashes on a soldiers tunic.

Three examples of brass shoulder titles worn by The RCR. The cut top bar forming the

Three examples of brass shoulder titles worn by The RCR. The cut top bar forming the "C" in the upper titles, and the round periods of the second title are both relatively rare attributes. Photos by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Narrow worsted title with black embroidery. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Narrow worsted title with black embroidery. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Narrow worsted title with tan embroidery. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Narrow worsted title with tan embroidery. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

First type embroidered shoulder flash in use during the Second World War. This example, shown with the 1st Canadian division

First type embroidered shoulder flash in use during the Second World War. This example, shown with the 1st Canadian division "red patch" and three pips of a Captain is on the tunic worn by then Captain Peter Bingham. (RCR Museum) Photo by Capt M. O'Leary

And so, the Regiment was wearing bronzed "R.C.R." shoulder titles before arriving in France in November 1915. But the early decisions to wear an RCR title did not necessarily lead to our modern image of regimental uniformity at the outset. There are a variety of pattern types of shoulder titles which can be dated to the First World War either by makers' marks or by details of their construction.

Notable among the shoulder titles which can be established as Great War issues are those with flat cut lugs (the devices mounted on the back of title or badges for a retaining brass cotter pin to be inserted), and a rare style of shoulder title with only one horizontal bar at the base of the letters. Most titles, whether issued during the First World War or later, have two horizontal bars (at top and bottom) like our modern patterns. There are at least two separate distinctive patterns of the First World War single bar shoulder titles, the distinctive difference between the two can be seen the the straight or angled ends of the letter "C".

It is logical to assume that the bronze RCR shoulder titles were probably used intermittently in the field. Soldiers burdened with packs, gas mask carriers, bandoleers and any number of other items to be hung from the shoulders would not have tolerated the metal title for long under such conditions. But the War Diary notes regularly that soldiers of the Regiment spent their first days out of the front lines in "cleaning and smartening up", so there was always the opportunity to ensure that the right badges were in place before walking out to the local estaminets.

Regimental identity on soldiers' uniforms would not, however, be lost if "RCR" titles were not worn in the field. After August 1916, in keeping with the designs being adopted throughout the Canadian Corps, The RCR began wearing the divisional and brigade/battalion shoulder flashes of the Canadian Expeditionary Force by which a pairing of badges worn on each shoulder were used to designate the wearer's division, brigade and unit. The divisional patch was a 2-inch by 3-inch rectangle in a designated divisional colour. For the 3rd Canadian Division these were French Grey (after white and black were tried with unfavorable results). Above the divisional patch was a second patch, in a colour identifying the brigade (green for the first brigade in each division) and a shape to denote the battalion (a circle for the first battalion in each brigade). Shoulder flashes for The RCR were, therefore, a green circle over a French Grey rectangle to denote them as the first battalion of the first brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The first brigade of the 3rd Division was, as we know, the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

While the CEF distinguishing patches were not worn after demobilization, the green circle over French gray rectangle was used for years afterwards as an informal regimental designator.

During the 1930's, as some of the former pre-war [Permanent Force] members may recall, the World War I divisional-brigade-unit combination patch was still in use, being painted on boards over the doors of numerous Wolseley Barracks' buildings such as the canteen, QM stores, etc. - Signs of the Times, by Col ASA Galloway (Pro Patria No. 69, August 1990)

The CEF unit insignia was also worn in the period between the wars as an Old Comrade's lapel pin in brass and enamel. The badge, one of a series available for soldiers throughout the Canadian Corps, would have provided a unique badge for ex-soldiers, one readily identified by others with wartime experience.

Although familiarity with the CEF unit identifier has long fallen out of use, a later application of divisional patches may be more readily recognized. The use of coloured divisional patches would return during the Second World War and afterwards at times, when The RCR would wear the red patch of the 1st Canadian Division, but these would not again form part of a unique battalion or unit identifier as they did in the CEF.

Regimental "R.C.R." titles in brass, silver and gilt finishes, depending on rank and uniform, were worn during the period between the World Wars. These titles, in their various forms and variations, would be most familiar to Royal Canadians today as the same basic pattern is worn with regimental full dress and distinctive environmental uniforms (DEU).

In 1927, Regimental Standing Orders (RSOs) directed that:

"Regimental shoulder-badges will be worn by all ranks on the service jacket, and by warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men on the greatcoat, one-half inch from the bottom of the shoulder straps."

The same edition of RSOs gave further direction for officers of the Regiment, which continued the trends of similar badges being used for soldiers and officers, with the officers' badges being produced in gilt metal (and undoubtedly acquired at personal expense).

DRESS INSTRUCTIONS - OFFICERS

1. SERVICE DRESS

a. Jacket.

(8) Shoulder Badges - the letters "R. C. R." in gilt metal, placed 1/4" above the point of the shoulder.

While metal shoulder titles prevailed through the period between the World Wars, the issue of battle dress shortly before the Second World War led to new shoulder titles. Khaki slip-ons, known as "worsted titles", were produced and issued to the Regiment. Worsted titles for The RCR were produced in two colour variations, with black and tan thread used to embroider the Regiment's initials. The slip-ons were issued in two different widths and were worn by NCOs and soldiers. Officers did not wear the worsted titles as their style of construction would have covered the lower pips of the officers' rank on their epaulets.

The worsted titles, though effectively drab for a combat uniform, would not last long. Strome Galloway, in his book A Regiment at War (originally published as "55 AXIS"), describes the initial issues of the distinctive regimental shoulder flashes in blue, yellow and black in September 1940.

"It is interesting to note at this point that the "flash" of blue, amber and black, bearing the words THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT, was first issued to be worn on battledress shoulders just previous to the move from Charlwood. Originally it was introduced to distinguish those actually serving, or who had served with the Field Unit, from those numerous reinforcements stationed at Bordon in Hampshire, or otherwise employed in the United Kingdom. Gradually this custom died, however. and to all those who wore the V.R.I. went the right to put up the regimental "flash"."

"A Short History of The Royal Canadian Regiment," published in May 1964 by the Regimental Depot, described the issue of the regimental shoulder flashes as follows:

"The shoulder flashes are designed in the Regimental Colours which are Royal Blue, Amber and Black. They were first worn in 1940, originally only by those who were actually serving, or had served, "in the field" with the Regiment. Staff, holding unit, and Home Station personnel were not permitted to wear them until later on during the war."

Two versions of the embroidered regimental title were produced during the war, one with vertically cut ends resulting in pointed "tails" and a second pattern with square cut ends. Between 1943 and 1945 the embroidered wartime issues of unit shoulder flashes were supplemented by printed versions on a canvas-like cotton cloth, but only one design, the first pattern with tailed corners, was produced in a printed issue.

While there does not seem to be any readily available evidence establishing when and where each type of shoulder title was first issued, both were in use during the Regiment's time in Italy. The titles were worn on shirts and battle dress jackets as well as on brassards with the divisional flash.

Reproduced from the regimental history (Second Volume), this photo shows both patterns of regimental shoulder flash in use in September 1945. - Maj.-Gen. D.C. Spry, DSO, speaks to CSM G.E Peppard, who was three times wounded while serving with the Regiment, at the last formal inspection of the Regiment at No. 7 Repat Depot.

Reproduced from the regimental history (Second Volume), this photo shows both patterns of regimental shoulder flash in use in September 1945. - Maj.-Gen. D.C. Spry, DSO, speaks to CSM G.E Peppard, who was three times wounded while serving with the Regiment, at the last formal inspection of the Regiment at No. 7 Repat Depot.

The 1950s saw continued use of the regimental shoulder flash, with a variety of minor changes as new manufacturers and production techniques changed, in minor details, the flash being issued. The amalgamation of the Reserve Battalion also produced a new regimental shoulder insignia. Decisions were made to retain some distinctive markings for the Reserve battalion, including a wider leg stripe on mess kit (retained at the time for cost considerations), a Fusilier White Hackle (the wearing of which ceased in 1999), distinctive unit titles (more about these later) and a short-lived unique shoulder insignia for service dress.

An odd pairing of cloth and metal components, the shoulder badge was authorized in 1956. While unique, the wear of this badge would have been problematic because of its combining of a cloth element requiring sewing, and a metal badge element requiring the opening of holes for lugs and a cotter pin inside the uniform sleeve. The cloth badge was in blue melton cloth with gold embroidery (½ inch by 3 ½ inches), matching RCR shoulder flash colours. The metal part of the insignia was a collar badge as previously worn by the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Regimental records show that by 1959 the "special sleeve badge 'London – Oxford'" was no longer being worn and its retention was not recommended.

An example of the very short-lived

An example of the very short-lived "LONDON-OXFORD" shoulder device worn by the Reserve Battalion, 1956-1959. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

During the 1960s (RSOs 1960 and 1967) there were three styles of metal "RCR" shoulder titles described for wear in the Regiment. These were differentiated by rank and the uniforms on which they would be worn, as follows:

These metal shoulder tiles were to be worn centred, flat on the shoulder strap, with the bottom of the title touching the base of strap. Also in the 1960s, the blue/yellow/black shoulder badge was still being worn, described as follows:

Cloth - on a blue background with a 1/8 inch black border, the words "THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT" in gold letters 3/8 inch in height. Dimensions - height 1 ½ inch, width 5 inches. Worn by all ranks on battledress and armlet. The title will be machine sewn on the battledress even with the shoulder seam, with the letter "R" in the word "ROYAL" centrally positioned.

For service dress, the use of the metal "RCR" titles on service dress was discontinued with the issue of "CF Greens" the common Canadian Forces dress uniform issued following Unification. Bill C-243, the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act, was introduced by the government in 1966 and came into effect on 1 February 1968. By 1970, the new green uniform was being issued and, in its original concept, it was proposed that only cap badges would be retained as unique regimental or corps identifiers. This was soon overturned and authority was granted for new collar badges to be designed, in a smaller size than previously worn on regimental uniforms, and new shoulder badges were developed.

Shoulder badges, both new flashes and new tabs for epaulette slip-ons were created and issued for the dress uniform and for a new Canadian Forces "work dress" uniform, the polyester pants and short jacket of the latter often being derided as making the wearer look like a bus driver. The new CF pattern shoulder flashes were in the familiar arc shape, but now were manufactured in a deep green to match the uniforms with either bright gold embroidery for the service dress or "old gold" thread to be worn on the work dress.

Examples of the 'new' and 'old' gold embroidered flashes worn on the CF greens service dress and work dress (circa 1970 – late 1980s). Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection) Examples of the 'new' and 'old' gold embroidered titles worn on the CF greens service dress and work dress (circa 1970 – late 1980s). Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Left: Examples of the "new" and "old" gold embroidered flashes worn on the CF greens service dress and work dress (circa 1970 – late 1980s). Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)
Right: Examples of the "new" and "old" gold embroidered titles worn on the CF greens service dress and work dress (circa 1970 – late 1980s). Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

The coloured regimental shoulder patch also disappeared from use with the the issue of the olive drab combat uniform replacing battle dress in the 1960s. (This would not, however, be the last the Regiment saw of the coloured shoulder title.) The olive drab combat uniform established a new requirement for matching regimental insignia. Tabs, with abbreviated unit titles in the same pattern as those designed for the dress uniform, to be worn on slip-on epaulettes, were created for the Regiment. The Regular Force Battalions wore tabs with "RCR" while the Reserve battalion briefly wore tabs "4 RCR" (by some accounts, there were not geenrally issued for wear). These battalion specific titles were taken out of use and all Royal Canadians then wore the same "RCR" tabs. This regimental decision did not, however, prevent the Directorate of History and Heritage from creating one batch of officially produced "4 RCR" tabs in Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) in 2008. These tabs never saw in-service use.

Examples of the olive drab and temperate woodland CADPAT embroidered combat tabs produced for the 4th Battalion. neither of these were taken into general use. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Examples of the olive drab and temperate woodland CADPAT embroidered combat tabs produced for the 4th Battalion. neither of these were taken into general use. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

In 1989, some bright spark in Ottawa decided that the Army should have a new garrison uniform replacing the dated and increasingly unpopular work dress. Garrison Dress was created and issued to reduce wear and tear on combat dress uniforms being worn as dress of the day, and to provide something more durable than the CF service dress for daily wear. The result was known as Garrison Dress, consisting of high boots (polishable, uncomfortable), polyester pants (ironable) and a camouflage pattern smock (which blocked neither wind nor water). This new uniform gave Sergeants Major across the Army a new uniform to expect soldiers to appear in wrinkle-free, pressed, polished and prepared everyday for a parade ready presentation. It also led to the issue of a new edition of the blue-yellow-black regimental shoulder tiles (and a new issue of locket belt buckles, but those should be the subject of another article).

The garrison dress shoulder flash. The embroidery of the blue and the wide black border with heavy hem stitchery make it distinctive from earlier patterns. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

The garrison dress shoulder flash. The embroidery of the blue and the wide black border with heavy hem stitchery make it distinctive from earlier patterns. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Thankfully, Garrison Dress was a short-lived experiment in modern military haberdashery, and the Army was put out of its collective misery in 1994. Although the shoulder titles no longer had a use for issued regimental uniforms, they continued to be used by affiliated Cadet Corps.

The replacement of the CF green uniform with the current Distinctive Environmental Uniform (DEU) in the 1980s resulted in another change to the shoulder insignia worn by the Regiment. The green and gold shoulder flash disappeared from use and a metal "RCR" title returned to service on the service dress uniform.

The latest changes to regimental shoulder insignia have been the need to match insignia to new combat uniform cloth patterns, leading to the creation of CADPAT titles. These have been produced for both the temperate woodland (TW) and arid region (AR) versions of this modern combat uniform.

Examples of the olive drab and temperate woodland CADPAT embroidered combat tabs produced for The RCR. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Examples of the olive drab and temperate woodland CADPAT embroidered combat tabs produced for The RCR. Photo by Capt M. O'Leary (Private Collection)

Each generation of Royal Canadian have become very familiar with the badges they were issued for wear, and many other patterns are familiar to each of us through the Regiment's consistent use of colours and designs. There have been, however, changes in shoulder badges over the course of the Regiment's history, including the appearance of designs that did not survive long and may be new to readers.

Pro Patria

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