Commando signals cap badges and shoulder titles

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum. I am a reenactor and do commando group (No 4 Commando).

I have a couple of questions related to signals:

As far as I know, they had their own signals group (commando signals). What sort of cap badge would they wear? Exactly the same as Royal Signals Corps without the bronze surrounding (as I believe I have read in some message in this forum) or the standard issued Royal Signals Corps one? Would they have any backing on beret (from private to corporal)?

Re shoulder titles, was it common practice to wear the COMMANDO SIGNALS badge on the battledress or was only worn the unit badge?

Many thanks in advance for your time.

Antoine A. :)

Hi Antoine A.

Yes you're correct, I'm not sure if all Signals wore that cap badge but basically it was a modified version of the original (from that period) Royal Corps of Signals cap badge with the bronze surround cut away and some soldering to the back with a pin to secure "Jimmy" to the clip.

I believe it was also normal to wear the Commando Signals shoulder titles on the battle dress.

There a few members on here who know these things inside out and above my knowledge so I'm sure I'll be supported or corrected on my assumptions.

Do you have radio set for your reenactment group (not that I have one) always interested in posts regarding Commando Signals.

Regards Vic

Hi Vlewes

Thanks a lot for your quick reply. I agree with you on the "new" modified version of commando signals cap badges. I have read somewhere, the regiment started to create its own signals group and, as a result, many servicemen in Royal Signals Corps volunteered, wearing their original/former unit cap badges. Apparently, volunteers from all other different units did not like much the idea of hanging about "signalers" whose training was mostly focused on communications, radio sets, etc. As a solution, the original badge was modified and they took part in physical training more actively (more or less). The thing is, I am not so sure about shoulder titles. I have seen a couple of pictures of commando signalers and they are wearing their unit ones (only French and Polish commandos, so I am not sure whether it was common practice in all units). Also in pictures where they are wearing their best uniform, they are still wearing their unit badge (Check Jean Couturier, No10 Commandos).

I have just a WS38. Mostly used by Airborne units, I found out commandos also used them in some operations (I have only seen pictures taken during the battle for Normandy, to be honest with you). I also have a Morse signalling lamp, which comes very handy during amphibious operations (I believe these were more common with RN commandos, but still works for other units). My new project now is either to get a WS18 or a WS11 (the latter is more like a dream or fantasy, so hard it is to find one of those sets!!!!

I really appreciate your help on the topic. Please, if you find out something about signals badges and commandos, do not hesitate to let me know.

Best wishes

Antoine A.

Hi Antoine A.

Yeah this is very interesting, thanks for the response and info on the radios. I did attend a military show a few years back where I live in Essex at Damyns Hall, unfortunately due to local residents complaints they stopped it for some reason. However, at this show there was a large tent run by military radio enthusiasts who had all the sets you can imagine on display, always enjoyed stopping by the display and having a chat.

Regards the shoulder titles, I'm not an expert on these matters but I believe No 10IA may of been slightly different due to the language and assume their native speakers were not from the Royal Corps of Signals or other British Army regiments although I'm sure that some of the British Commando Signalers were attached to 10IA at some point.

I know that Commando Signalers from the 4 Special Service Brigades (Signal Troops) were interchanged with various Commandos as and when needed. For example, my Dad was originally in 2 Special Service Brigade Signals supporting No2 and 41RM Commando in Italy, then moved to 1 Special Service Brigade supporting No6 and 45RM juts after D-Day so again, just an assumption but I believe it was easier to retain the Signals shoulder titles for that reason.

There were two type of shoulder titles, one with the letters SS either side of the dagger and lightning flash (similar to my avatar) and the curved red on dark blue more familiar ones. The former are quite rare in original and I have never seen a photo of one on a uniform but they do exist as I have a pair although I believe these were not used past 1942. If you look in the galleries there should be a photos of these originals as I posted the pictures.

Regards Vic

Hi again

It is really interesting what you say. All the pictures I have found are of commandos attached to units mostly made up of non-British soldiers and it is very likely they were not part of Royal Corps of Signals.

I found your the pictures of former shoulder titles (the ones with the letters SS either side of the dagger and the lighting flash) you posted on 20/02/2013. After going through all posts I find the topic on Commando signals more confusing but also absorbing.

Not sure whether I understood it correctly; there were 4 different Special Service Brigades: 2 of them seem to have been mostly involved, if not attached, to RN marines, and 2 to Army commandos. I wonder what brigades might have been operating alongside No4 Commandos (the unit I reenact in).

All in all, re shoulder titles, I totally agree with you it should be the curved red lettered on dark blue/black? one

As for the cap badge:

I will be looking forward to hearing more about signals. Meanwhile, I will try and get a copy of "The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its Antecedents", by Cliff Lord.

Many thanks

Antoine A.

Hi Antoine A.

Yes very confusing for me as well, when replying I have to try and remember myself :)

I think you're correct about the 4 different Special Service Brigades (Signals Troops) Army and RM. What makes it confusing is the non Signals Special Service Brigades for want of a better description were comprised of various Commando units. For example, 1st Special Service Brigade in June 1994 were comprised of Nos 3, 4, 6 and 45RM and were supported by 1 Special Service Brigade Signals from Brigade HQ. No 4 Commando were additionally augmented by the French elements of No 10IA for the D-Day landings. So for that period the Signals were from 1 Special Service Brigade Signal troop covering No 4 Commando which had the French 10 IA. As mentioned before, the men were interchangeable for a variety of reasons so there were some exceptions to this.

I think later in 1944 (November) No 4 Commando were part of 4 Special Service Brigade which was largely made up of RM Commando units and supported by 4 Special Service Brigade Signals.

So from a reenactment perspective it's really all to do with what operation / year you are looking in No 4s history to see what Signal Brigade was attached. There's probably more to this than what I have discussed and hopefully some of the more historically accurate members may chip in and shed some light on it.

Regards Vic