2

COMBINED OPERA

TIONS P

A

TCHES

BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE WEB SITE

combinedops.com

© REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION

OF THE

MILITARY HERALDRY SOCIETY UK

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF INSIGNIA

The information below is a copy of an article entitled 'The Combined Operations Badge, 1942-1946 by Terry

Camey based on research carried out at the Public Record Office (PRO), Kew, London. The dates given below are

those found on the various PRO papers from which this information was obtained. (PRO now called The National

Archive).

We are indebted to Terry Camey, the author of this article and to Brian Leigh Davies, the editor of 'The Formation

Sign' (the journal of the Military Heraldry Society), for permission to reproduce this article. [Copyright The Mili-

tary Heraldry Society.]

Mountbatten's 'Design' Challenge

13 Jan 42 - Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of the Combined Operations Command, issued a general invitation for

designs to be submitted for a Combined Operations badge.

19 Feb 42 - A design was approved. From the many designs that had been sent in, the final choice was for one of

several submitted by Lieut. D. A. Grant, R.N.V.R. of H.M.S. Tormentor, Combined Operation Command's princi-

pal landing craft training base. Together with his designs Lieut. Grant sent in notes relating to various ideas he

thought suitable to represent the three services. He also suggested a small gilt version of the badge for officers, to

be worn in the same manner as the Wings or the letter 'A' as worn in the Fleet Air Arm.

A. Naval

1. A fouled anchor

2. A naval crown

3. Ship or landing craft

B. Military

1. Crossed sabres

2. Daggers

3. Guns, tanks or Tommy Guns

C.

Air force

1. Eagle

2. Aircraft silhouette or propellers

Design Developments in Graphics

1) The original design for the badge submitted by Lieut. D. A. Grant, R.N.V.R. The bird had the appearance of a

seagull and was later changed to an eagle. The Tommy Gun also faced in the opposite direction to that used on the

final approved design.

2)The gold bullion version as worn within the Royal Navy. Wartime economy versions exist with the design

worked in yellow threads on navy blue cloth.