Auxiliary Units Insignia

Badges of the GHQ Auxiliary Units

From the outset in 1940 it was considered imprtant that the Home Guard patrols of the Operational Branch of the Auxiliary Units should be uniformed and badged, to establish their legal military status and to emphasise their distinction from the earlier civilian Home Defence Scheme of SIS Section D. The late August progress report to the Prime Minister was even delayed until 11 September until a uniform supply issue had been resolved. Gubbins had earlier reported ‘uniforms have been made available for the use of Auxiliary Units. A proportion of the Home Guard of Auxiliary Units already have uniforms, but it is most important that the remainder should be allotted at an early date.’ At this stage the uniform was the current Home Guard denim battledress (originaly designed as overalls for dirty working), replace in early 1941 by the standard serge battledress. The local operatives of the Intelligence wing (Special Duties Branch) remained civilian, but these could only operate with the support of uniformed Auxiliary Units (Signals).

Neither the Operational Branch or Special Duties Branch were designed or equipped to operate without the support of the regular forces. The idea that they were a Resistance force to operate after any settled enemy occupation is therefore a modern romance. The national and regional HQs were staffed by men and women from a wide range of Corps and regiments, some of whose cap badges are illustrated below.

REGIMENTAL CAP BADGE

The right to wear a regimental cap badge is jealously guarded in the British Army but was granted to the Home Guard in 1940 as a measure of its status as part of the 'Armed Forces of the Crown', when the standard forage cap began to be issued. Regimental cap badges were consequently also worn by the Operational Patrols of the Auxiliary Units, which retained their status as part of the Home Guard.

Regimental cap badges were also worn by the army Scout Sections of the Operational Branch, responsible for the local training of the Home Guard patrols and also acting as a strategic core to operations.

SHOULDER TITLES

The operational patrols wore the standard Home Guard shoulder titles on their serge battledress (introduced throughout the Home Guard from January 1941 to replace denim battledress).

RANK CHEVRONS

As part of the concern to maintain legality under the Hague Convention, the Operational Branch had an organised rank structure, with patrol sergeants wearing the standard chevrons.

GHQ Reserve Battalion numerals

Worn from from 1942 on the battledress blouse below the standard Home Guard county code letters. The battalions were numbered 201 (Scotland) and 202 (North and Midlands) and 203 (Sothern England). The importance of being able to recognise uniform distinctions in enemy soldiers was stressed throughout the war and so these battalion numerals made the Auxiliary Units immediately recognisable.

2nd pattern GHQ Home Forces formation badge

Worn on the battledress blouse sleeve from 1942 by Royal Signals and ATS personnel of the Special Duties Branch. (The 1st pattern GHQ Home Forces badge was only used on vehicles)

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 General Service Corps or the Intelligence Corps (formed in July 1940). Other officers wore their existing regimental cap badges.

The War Establishment also allowed for some drivers to be drawn from the Intelligence Corps as an alternative to the RASC.

General Service Corps officer's cap badge

Badge worn by Intelligence Officers who transferred from the Officer Reserve or from SIS. Often they later transferred to the Intelligence Corps.

Royal Engineers officer's cap badge

A small number of Royal Engineers training officers were attached to the Coleshill HQ with duties that included writing the Auxiliary Units training manuals. Royal Engineer other ranks also provided pioneers and carpenters for contruction works.

RAOC cap badge

The RAOC provided the first armourer section at the Coleshill HQ until the formation of REME.

REME cap badge

From 1942, the new Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers staffed the small armourer section at the Coleshill HQ.

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.

ATS Other Ranks badge

A number of ATS Other Ranks were employed at Auxiliary Units HQ, Coleshill on administrative duties as clerks and secretaries. A small number also served as drivers in 1944. In 1942 the former SDB HQ at nearby Hannington Hall was convertred to an 'Attery' to house the ATS.

Royal Signals other ranks cap badge

Royal Signals Other Ranks were also recruited as wireless operators at the IN Stations of the Special Duties Branch (because they were cheaper to employ than ATS officers) and also maintained the wireless sets as part of the Auxiliary Units (Signals).

Royal Army Service Corps Other Ranks cap badge

A small number of RASC Other Ranks wewre employed as drivers and general dutymen in the Auxiliary Units.

Army Catering Corps

The War Establishment for the Coleshill HQ included cooks from the Army Catering Corps.

Grenadier Guards Officer cap badge

In early August 1940, 3rd Division provided a small training team mainly drawn from officers of 7th Guards Brigade (Grenadier and Coldstream Guards). This was the start of what became a close relationship of the Auxiliary Units to the Brigade of Guards, who dominated HQ staff from the arrival of Colonel, the Lord Glanusk as CO in 1942. Guards drill and kit inspection was then introduced.

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).

Britain's Guerrilla Army: plans for a secret war 1939-45

is the most detailed and up to date account of the Auxiliary Units, placing them within their wider contaxt of the other plans to meet the threat of invasion using covert warfare. Fully referenced.

(Pen & Sword, 2024)