Description
Physical description
Embroidered dark green black-edged triangular badge depicting a charging black rhino.
Label
1st Division was formed in 1809 during the Peninsula War. During the Second World War 1st Division fought in the Fall of France, the North Africa and Italy campaigns. It was part of 1st Corps in France whose badge as a a white spearhead on a red diamond, as a result 1st Division adopted the white tip of the spearhead as its formation badge. The1st Armoured Division was formed in 1940 and also fought in the 1940 campaign and the North African and Italian theatres. It ceased to be operational on 20 October 1944 and was disbanded on 11 January 1945. The formation badge was a white static rhino on a black oval background. It was changed to a charging rhino in 1942 as a result of a sapper in No 3 Troop Cheshire Field Regiment repainting a sign outside Divisional Headquarters with a charging rhino that was seen as more becoming for an Armoured Division.
The title of 1st Division was used again in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in June 1960 it was based at Verden and consisted of 7th Armored Brigade Group and 12th Infantry Brigade Group. It continued to use a white triangle as its insignia with red edges. On 1 April 1978 the division was reconstituted as 1st Armoured Division but retained the white triangle. The Division was again reorganised in 1983 and the Divisional Commander, Major-General Brian Kenny also decided to change the Divisional emblem to include the old 1st Division and 1st Armoured Division. In addition a German official had commented that the traingle was like the 'give way' traffic sign.The flag was raised on 11 November 1983, the new emblem consisted of a white charging rhinoceros on a black background bordered in a red triangle.
The formation fought in Operation Granby during the Gulf War, 1990-1991. As part of the reorganisation of the Army after the collapse of the Soviet Union, British forces in the BAOR were dramatically reduced. 1st Armoured Division HQ was moved to Herford. In 1993 1st (UK ) Armoured Division became the UK's contingent in the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps. The Division has provided troops for operations in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and KFOR in Kosovo.
The formation badge worn on uniform is green and black and was adopted c. 1995. It is worn on the right sleeve just below the shoulder on the Combat Smock 95 and 'field dress'.