Description
Physical description
badge
A rectangle of maroon wool on which embroidered in gold the sans-serif letters RCAMC, with no stops between letters.
Label
This badge is the 5 Division formation patch with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps initials embroidered over. Worn by the Divisional ADMS & staff, 7 Light Field Ambulance, 24 Field Ambulance and 11 Divisional Field Hygiene Section RCAMC.
Note that the use of initial letters to denote RCAMC was unique to 5th Armoured Division. In other formations the RCAMC carried a cherry coloured bar on the formation patch. In 5 Division this standardisation was apparently not achieved (or at least agreed) until September 1943.
Being of wool, this badge may date to before the end of 1942.
For an account of the patches worn by this Division, see INS 17.
For additional notes on corps and services distinctions, see INS 90.
Formation history: For a summary history of 5 Division see INS 17.
History note
Associated person: John Tiffin Murray Stewart b. 1917, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. d. 6 August 1964, 47 yrs., heart attack. Service record: Gunner M 4044 RCA. 1942: Reg. H2, HQ RCA, 1st Administration Corps. RCA CASF (Canadian Active Service Force) 1st Division. 1943: Reg. H3, 3rd Field Regt. RCA CASF 1st Division. 1944: 1st A Wing. No. 1 CARU (Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit).
Family history: 11 December 1942, married Elfreda Joan, nee Knight, at Congregational Church West Wickham, Kent. 15 June 1945, returned Canada. 27 June 1946, joined by family (on board 'Letitia'). August 1948, all family return to UK ('Queen Mary'). Moved to family home, Cavendish Way, West Wickham, Kent. Subsequently bought house, Oak Avenue, Shirley, Croydon.
History note
Bibliographic references: DISTINGUISHING PATCHES: Formation Patches of the Canadian Army. Clive M. Law. (Private) Service Publications, Nepean, Ontario, 1996.
On centre of badge
RCAMC