Description
Physical description
A bronzed metal Intelligence Corps headdress badge, being an Imperial (King's) crown surmounting a union rose between twin sprays of laurel, a scroll below bearing INTELLIGENCE CORPS. A slider on the reverse.
History note
The choice of the rose as the symbol for the Intelligence Corps derives from the practice in Roman times of placing a rose on a door behind which secret matters were being discussed, giving rise to the expression, "sub rosa", under the rose. Inevitably, the symbolism produced a less than flattering interpretation by many of the soldiery, as a pansy resting on its laurels.
The first pattern of the badge was sealed in August 1940 and the second pattern, with the Queen's crown, was sealed in June 1955. This second pattern was also worn in silver plate by officers.
An Intelligence Corps had been created in 1914 and, in the interests of security, wore insignia of the Royal Fusiliers and took the title of the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. This Corps was disbanded in 1929.
No provision had been made for intelligence provision prior to the outbreak of war in 1939 and such work as was done in the first year was as a result of the personal initiative of Major, later Field Marshal Sir, Gerald Templar and the retired Captain F.C. Davis MC. The latter trained the thirty-one Field Security Sections of the Military Police in intelligence duties. When the Intelligence Corps was formed by Army Order 112 on 19 July 1940, these FS Sections were transferred to the new Corps.
The first badge was sealed in August 1940 and was in gilding metal. For security purposes the General Service Corps badge was sometimes worn.
On 1 February 1985 the corps was officially declared an 'Arm' (combat support) instead of a 'Service' (rear support).
Inscription
INTELLIGENCE CORPS