Cap badge - Definition and Overview

A cap badge is a badge worn on the front of uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's organisation.

British cap badges I

British cap badges II

In the British Army (as well as Commonwealth armies), cap badges are extremely important, with every regiment and corps having its own. In some regiments, officers and other ranks have different cap badges. When a soldier is assigned to a regiment or corps, it is known as being capbadged to that organisation.

Soldiers of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment wear a cap badge on both the front and the rear of their hats. The back badge is unique in the British Army and was awarded to the 28th Regiment of Foot for their actions at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801. Knowledge of this honour encouraged the soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment in the defence of Gloster Hill during the Battle of the Imjin River in April 1951 during the Korean War.

External links

• MOD: British Army Regiments & Battalions (http://www.army.mod.uk/unitsandorgs/subsections/index.htm)
• RGBW insigna (http://history.farmersboys.com/RGBW/r_g_b_w__insigna.htm) (Site is authorized by the colonel of the RGBW)