Malcolm Atkin Military Research
Badges of the Auxiliary Units
GHQ Reserve Battalion numerals
Worn from from 1942 on the battledress blouse below the Home Guard county code letters. The battalions were numbered 201 (Scotland) and 202 (North and Midlands) and 203 (Sothern England).
GHQ formation badge
Worn on the battledress blouse by Royal Signals and ATS personnel of the Special Duties Branch.
Intelligence Corps officer's cap badge
Intelligence Officers of the Auxiliary Units recruited from SIS or from the officer's reserve were frequently badged to the Intelligence Corps (formed in July 1940).
ATS officer's cap badge
A number of officers from the ATS were recruited as wireless operators at the IN Stations of the Special Duties Branch.
Royal Signals other ranks cap badge
A number of officers from the ATS were recruited as wireless operators at the IN Stations of the Special Duties Branch.
The Auxiliary Units Veterans lapel badge
In 1944 the Auxiliary Units volunteers were offered the opportunity to purchase (for 6d each) a commemorative lapel badge - but this was only to be worn once hostilities had ceased. It was finally distributed in 1946. The badge was not offered to the members of the Special Duties Branch, reflecting the disjointed nature of the organisation and the continuing interest of SIS in the secxrecy of the SDB.
The design is a red and blue shield and features the numerals of the three GHQ Reserve battalions 201, 202 and 203 (the official designation of the Auxiliary Units).
Fake versions of the badge, together with spurious cloth arm badges featuring the design, are now being offered for sale on ebay and in some auction houses. Buyer Beware!
To be clear, this badge was never worn during the lifetime of the Auxiliary Units. Its design was never used as a shoulder patch (as some modern replicas imply).