Seeking proper trade name for WWII Canadian Radio Technician

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

What I've ordered is:

Title: British Army Cloth Insignia 1940 to the Present an illustrated reference guide for collectors.

Author: Davis, Brian L

Which is B&W illustrations but a snip at a mere £10 (+£4 for postage).

This has now arrived and is not particularly helpful - all the badges are shown in monochrome and there's minimal detail given (it's basically a catalogue of the author's collection).

Though it does appear to claim the "circle with six lightning bolts" = Wireless/Radio Mechanic.

Further rummaging and image searches show the circle in red, yellow, blue or white and the lightning bolts in white. I'm not sure I believe this as meaning anything other than "a lot of the ones for sale are modern reproductions or guesswork", or the original badges were produced 'in theatre' or at unit level using available materials, and not issued centrally.

The IWM library has a copy of the expensive book, so I might try and get access to that when I'm in London next.

So far, there seem to have been:

"Telegraph Pole" badge = Lineman (Canada only?)
"Valve/Lamp with lightning bolts" = Wireless Mechanic? (Canada only?)
"Circle/Ring with lightning bolts" = Wireless Mechanic (British?)

"Hand holding lightning bolts" = Wireless Operator?
"Gauntlet holding lightning bolts" = AFV Wireless operator? (Armoured Corps?)

The pre-WW2 Signals trades were:

Electrician-Fitters
Instrument Mechanics
Operators (Signals)
Linemen
Despatch Riders
Draughtsmen (Signals)

Also the General Army Trades:

Blacksmiths
Carpenters & Joiners
Clerks
Farriers
Saddlers and harness makers

further on there's a not about training failed tradesmen as:

Drivers
Drivers I.C. (I assume that's "Internal Combustion.)

(All the above from "Royal Corps of Signals - Corps Memoranda 1934".)

Best regards,
Chris.