Badges and Insignia
Cap Badges
Cap Badge of The Gibraltar Volunteer Corps (1915-1920)
The GVC was formed by the will of the people of Gibraltar, not by Royal ordinance, so the badge is not surmounted by the sovereign’s crown. The simple badge shows the Castle and Key of the crest of the City of Gibraltar, with the subscripted motto, ‘Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti’ – ‘No enemy shall expel us’.
Cap Badge and Crest of the Gibraltar Defence Force (1939-1958)
Now with the sovereign’s crown, as the GDF was founded at the suggestion of the Governor. The subscription reads simply ‘Gibraltar Defence Force’.
Cap Badge and Crest of the Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (since 1958)
By the formation of the Gibraltar Regiment the cap badge once again included the motto ‘Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti’. The crown surmounting the whole is that of Queen Elizabeth II rather than that of King George V as in the GDF badge.
The back ground to the crest of Gibraltar includes a ‘Mediterranean green’ sky and, curiously, a black and white representation f the sea itself.
The Lanyard
The White lanyard worn on the Regiment’s ceremonial uniforms is an inheritance from the Royal Artillery, where it originally served a functional purpose in initiating the firing of guns. The white lanyard shown on the left is worn by all ranks up to Colour Sergeant on No 2 and No 6 dress. Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers wear a lanyard of woven cord (right) in the Regiment’s colours of red and grey, worn on No 2 (Service) dress and No 4 dress.
The ‘Collar Dogs’
Another inheritance from the RA, the Regiment’s collar dogs, worn on the lapels or collar of all ceremonial uniforms, represent flaming grenades containing the Castle and Key. The ‘Bombs’ as they are known by soldiers, are metallic on most uniforms, with embroidered badges being worn on Scarlets and officers’ mess dress.
The Keys
During the Second World War, formation badges and signs were universally adopted having been reintroduced in 1940. This time they were more widely used than during the Great War, having been extended to Home Commands, District Overseas Commands and Garrisons. The Gibraltar Garrison badge is described as:
“A yellow key picked on a scarlet rectangle is the appropriate badge worn by the Gibraltar Garrison – The Key to the Mediterranean.” The key is taken from the coat of arms of Gibraltar.
During the Second World War, Gunners from the Gibraltar Defence Force (GDF) wore the key with the letter ‘A’ on either side, a sign of their role as Anti-Aircraft gunners.
The badge was discontinued by the Regiment when No 2 dress superseded Battle Dress, but it continued to be used by the staff of Fortress Headquarters until this was abandoned by Headquarters British Forces.
Today the Regiment once again wears its key with pride on the right sleeve of the service uniforms. Red is worn on ceremonial uniforms and the green key is worn on combat uniforms.
A key embroidered in gold thread is worn by officers and the RSM on No 1 dress (Blues) and No 3 dress (Whites).
The Beret
On 29 April 2006 a significant change in the Regiment’s insignia took place when the old dark blue berets of the Artillery were replaced with khaki Infantry berets. The cap badge became deep bronze in colour and was backed by a ‘flash’ in the Regiment’s colours – the scarlet of Gibraltar’s Infantry protecting the limestone grey of the Rock.
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Cap Badges
Cap Badge of The Gibraltar Volunteer Corps (1915-1920)The GVC was formed by the will of the people of Gibraltar, not by Royal ordinance, so the badge is not surmounted by the sovereign’s crown. The simple badge shows the Castle and Key of the crest of the City of Gibraltar, with the subscripted motto, ‘Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti’ – ‘No enemy shall expel us’.
Cap Badge and Crest of the Gibraltar Defence Force (1939-1958) Now with the sovereign’s crown, as the GDF was founded at the suggestion of the Governor. The subscription reads simply ‘Gibraltar Defence Force’.
Cap Badge and Crest of the Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (since 1958) By the formation of the Gibraltar Regiment the cap badge once again included the motto ‘Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti’. The crown surmounting the whole is that of Queen Elizabeth II rather than that of King George V as in the GDF badge.
The back ground to the crest of Gibraltar includes a ‘Mediterranean green’ sky and, curiously, a black and white representation f the sea itself.
The LanyardThe White lanyard worn on the Regiment’s ceremonial uniforms is an inheritance from the Royal Artillery, where it originally served a functional purpose in initiating the firing of guns. The white lanyard shown on the left is worn by all ranks up to Colour Sergeant on No 2 and No 6 dress. Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers wear a lanyard of woven cord (right) in the Regiment’s colours of red and grey, worn on No 2 (Service) dress and No 4 dress.
The ‘Collar Dogs’ Another inheritance from the RA, the Regiment’s collar dogs, worn on the lapels or collar of all ceremonial uniforms, represent flaming grenades containing the Castle and Key. The ‘Bombs’ as they are known by soldiers, are metallic on most uniforms, with embroidered badges being worn on Scarlets and officers’ mess dress.
The Keys
During the Second World War, formation badges and signs were universally adopted having been reintroduced in 1940. This time they were more widely used than during the Great War, having been extended to Home Commands, District Overseas Commands and Garrisons. The Gibraltar Garrison badge is described as:“A yellow key picked on a scarlet rectangle is the appropriate badge worn by the Gibraltar Garrison – The Key to the Mediterranean.” The key is taken from the coat of arms of Gibraltar.
During the Second World War, Gunners from the Gibraltar Defence Force (GDF) wore the key with the letter ‘A’ on either side, a sign of their role as Anti-Aircraft gunners.The badge was discontinued by the Regiment when No 2 dress superseded Battle Dress, but it continued to be used by the staff of Fortress Headquarters until this was abandoned by Headquarters British Forces.
Today the Regiment once again wears its key with pride on the right sleeve of the service uniforms. Red is worn on ceremonial uniforms and the green key is worn on combat uniforms.A key embroidered in gold thread is worn by officers and the RSM on No 1 dress (Blues) and No 3 dress (Whites).The Beret
On 29 April 2006 a significant change in the Regiment’s insignia took place when the old dark blue berets of the Artillery were replaced with khaki Infantry berets. The cap badge became deep bronze in colour and was backed by a ‘flash’ in the Regiment’s colours – the scarlet of Gibraltar’s Infantry protecting the limestone grey of the Rock.
LINK TO NEWS FOR NEW BERET STORY?
