The REME Cap Badge: History, Symbolism and Meaning

Introduction

The REME cap badge is one of the most recognisable emblems in the British Army. Since 1942 it has identified the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, whose craftsmen and technicians have kept British Army equipment operational in conflicts from the Second World War onwards. For collectors, it is a badge with a genuinely interesting history — two distinct patterns, two Crown forms spanning three chronological periods, and a design origin that connects the Corps directly to the wider engineering profession. For veterans and serving personnel, it is simply the badge they wore.

This article examines the REME cap badge in full: its origins, the story behind the 1947 redesign, the meaning of its heraldic elements, and what collectors should know when seeking examples from different periods. The timeline, the badge elements, and the collecting guidance are all grounded in the REME Museum's own records and the accepted historical evidence.

About This Guide

This article has been researched and written by Precision Military Emblems, a specialist producer of officially licensed British military emblems and museum-style heritage displays. It draws on the REME Museum's collections and cap badge resources, regimental histories, official Army records, heraldic references, and recognised reference works on British military insignia, including Kipling and King's Head-Dress Badges of the British Army. Where the historical record is incomplete or sources disagree, the interpretation presented reflects the balance of the available evidence.

Who Are REME?

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers — REME — is the British Army's specialist engineering corps, responsible for the maintenance, repair, and recovery of the Army's equipment. Tanks, armoured vehicles, helicopters, artillery systems, electronic equipment: REME craftsmen and technicians keep all of it operational in the field, often working under fire and in demanding conditions.

The formation of REME was a two-stage process. The Cabinet's Beveridge Committee, established to examine the Army's engineering support arrangements, recommended the creation of a dedicated corps. The first stage came on 1 October 1942, when REME was formally constituted under Major-General Sir Eric Bertram Rowcroft, drawing personnel and responsibilities from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, the Royal Engineers, the Royal Army Service Corps, the Royal Corps of Signals, and other technical branches. From the outset, REME was established as a combatant corps — its craftsmen were soldiers as well as tradesmen. The second stage came in 1949, when Phase II of the reorganisation transferred full unit-repair responsibility to REME and brought nearly 10,000 additional personnel into the Corps, completing the structure that has broadly remained in place since.

The Corps' motto is Arte et Marte — By Skill and by Fighting. Its ethos is Soldier first, Craftsman always.

Key Dates: A Timeline of REME

Year	Event
1942	First Pattern badge sealed 22 June; authorised by Army Council Instruction 1605, 1 August. Corps formally constituted 1 October under Major-General Sir Eric Bertram Rowcroft.
1942–1945	REME serves in every theatre of the Second World War. The Second Battle of El Alamein (October–November 1942) provides an early and demanding test of the newly formed Corps.
1946–1947	More than 200 alternative designs examined following dissatisfaction with the First Pattern. Stephen Gooden CBE, RA produces the Second Pattern design; sealed 14 August 1947.
1948–1960	Malayan Emergency; REME supports British and Commonwealth forces throughout the campaign.
1949	Phase II reorganisation transfers full unit-repair responsibility to REME; nearly 10,000 additional personnel join the Corps.
1950–1953	Korean War; REME supports British forces in the peninsula.
1952	Queen's Crown (St Edward's Crown) badges introduced following the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
1956	Suez Crisis (Operation Musketeer); REME deploys with British forces.
1958	REME assumes responsibility for supporting Army aviation, adding rotary-wing aircraft maintenance to its technical remit.
1964–1967	Aden; REME supports British forces during the withdrawal from South Arabia.
1966	REME assumes responsibility for first-line repair of Army radio equipment, except equipment operated by the Royal Corps of Signals itself.
1969–2007	Northern Ireland; REME maintains a sustained commitment throughout the Troubles and subsequent normalisation period.
1982	Falklands War; REME craftsmen deploy to the South Atlantic, maintaining and recovering equipment throughout the campaign.
1990–1991	Gulf War (Operation Granby); REME supports British armoured forces in the liberation of Kuwait.
1990s	Balkans; REME supports British forces in Bosnia and Kosovo.
2000	Sierra Leone (Operation Palliser); REME supports British forces during the intervention.
2003–2011	Operations in Iraq (Operation Telic); REME craftsmen maintain and recover equipment throughout the campaign.
2002–2014	Operations in Afghanistan (Operation Herrick); REME supports British forces in Helmand Province, maintaining vehicles, helicopters, and equipment under sustained operational pressure.
2022–Present	Tudor Crown (King's Crown) returns to the REME cap badge following the accession of King Charles III. The transition is gradual; Queen's Crown badges may remain in wear while existing items are replaced.

Origins of the REME Cap Badge

First Pattern: Calipers Badge (1942–1947)

The First Pattern badge was sealed on 22 June 1942 and formally authorised by Army Council Instruction 1605, dated 1 August 1942. It featured calipers within a laurel wreath, with four shields bearing the letters R.E.M.E., surmounted by the Royal Crown. King George VI is reported to have been dissatisfied with the design. Following the end of the war, a formal process was undertaken to find a replacement, and more than 200 alternative designs were examined. The process extended over several years before a final design was approved.

Production of the First Pattern took place under wartime conditions. In addition to standard struck-metal examples, moulded-plastic badges were produced during the war years, and locally made or improvised examples are known to exist — a consequence of delays in distributing the authorised pattern to all units.

Second Pattern: The Chained Horse (1947)

The solution came from Stephen Gooden CBE, RA (1892–1955), one of the most distinguished engravers and draughtsmen of his generation. Gooden produced his design in 1946; the Second Pattern badge was sealed on 14 August 1947. The central element — the chained horse — was derived from the crest of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. By incorporating this established engineering symbol, Gooden linked the new badge directly to the wider engineering profession — a connection that was deliberate and has proved enduring. The Second Pattern badge has remained the basis of REME cap badge design ever since, with only the Royal Crown changing to reflect the reigning Sovereign.

The REME Cap Badge: Design and Elements

The Chained Horse

The rearing horse at the centre of the badge was derived from the crest of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. It wears a coronet of four fleurs-de-lys around its neck and is tethered by a chain. Officially, the horse and chain represent power and control — the disciplined application of force that is the engineer's art.

The Globe

The horse stands on a globe, representing the impact of engineering upon the world — a symbol of the profession's reach and significance. It has also been interpreted as reflecting the range of environments in which REME personnel have served, from the Western Desert to the Falklands, from the Rhine to Helmand Province. Whether that interpretation was intended by the designer is not documented; it is, however, apt.

The Lightning Flash

Positioned vertically behind the horse, the lightning flash represents electrical engineering — a direct reference to REME's role in maintaining the Army's electrical and electronic systems. Together with the horse, it reflects the close relationship between mechanical and electrical engineering in both military and civilian life.

The Crown

The Crown surmounts the badge and denotes service to the reigning Sovereign — a convention shared by the great majority of British Army cap badges. For REME, the Crown is also the primary dating tool for collectors. Badges produced during the reigns of King George VI and King Charles III bear the Tudor Crown (King's Crown). Badges produced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952–2022) bear St Edward's Crown (Queen's Crown) — a more rounded, cushion-shaped form that is readily distinguishable from the Tudor Crown when the two are compared side by side.

The Scroll

At the top of the badge, an ornate scroll bears the letters R.E.M.E., identifying the wearer as a member of the Corps.

Arte et Marte

The Corps motto — Arte et Marte, By Skill and by Fighting — does not appear on the cap badge itself. It is expressed instead through the badge's symbolism and through the Corps' ethos: Soldier first, Craftsman always. The design communicates the same idea through imagery rather than words.

The Evolution of REME Insignia

First Pattern: Calipers Badge (1942–1947)

The First Pattern badge was produced exclusively during the reign of King George VI and therefore bears only the Tudor Crown. Worn from October 1942 until 1947, it is now a comparatively scarce piece of insignia — five years of production, much of it wartime, means surviving examples in good condition are not common. Wartime production included moulded-plastic badges and locally made examples, which collectors should be aware of when assessing any First Pattern piece.

Second Pattern: King's Crown (1947–1952)

The Second Pattern badge was initially produced with the Tudor Crown of King George VI. These early examples were worn for only five years, until the King's death in February 1952. They are distinguished from post-2022 King's Crown examples by their manufacture characteristics — earlier production methods, metal composition, and reverse fittings.

Second Pattern: Queen's Crown (1952–2022)

Following the accession of Queen Elizabeth II, the badge was updated to display St Edward's Crown. Queen's Crown REME badges were produced for seventy years — the longest single Crown variant in the badge's history — and are by far the most commonly encountered examples in the collector market. The range of manufacturers, metals, and construction methods across seven decades gives this variant considerable depth as a collecting field in its own right.

Second Pattern: King's Crown (2022–Present)

The accession of King Charles III in September 2022 brought the Tudor Crown back to the REME cap badge for the first time since 1952. The transition across the Army is gradual; Queen's Crown badges may remain in wear while existing items are replaced. Our officially licensed REME King's Crown Cap Badge is available now.

Operational Legacy

The Second World War (1942–1945)

REME was formed in the middle of a war, and it showed. The Corps had no peacetime establishment to draw on, no settled traditions, and no accumulated institutional knowledge. What it had was an urgent operational requirement and a large body of technically trained soldiers. The Second Battle of El Alamein, fought in October and November 1942 — within weeks of the Corps' formation — provided an early and demanding test. REME craftsmen served in every theatre: North Africa, Italy, North-West Europe, the Far East. By 1945, the Corps had established its place in the Army's permanent order of battle.

Post-War Operations (1945–1980s)

The post-war decades brought a succession of operational commitments. REME supported British forces during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960), the Korean War (1950–1953), the Suez operation (1956), and the withdrawal from Aden (1964–1967). Throughout the Cold War, the British Army of the Rhine in West Germany was the Corps' primary commitment, with REME workshops and recovery sections maintaining the armoured vehicles and equipment of the NATO Central Front. Although often overlooked in accounts of the period, the sustained technical effort required to keep a large armoured force at readiness in Germany was considerable. REME also maintained a continuous commitment to Northern Ireland from 1969 onwards.

The Falklands War (1982)

REME craftsmen deployed to the South Atlantic with the Task Force, maintaining and recovering equipment under conditions of extreme weather and determined Argentine opposition. It is perhaps surprising how little attention the Corps' contribution to the Falklands campaign receives in popular accounts — the ability to keep equipment operational in those conditions was not incidental to the Task Force's success.

The Gulf, the Balkans and Sierra Leone

Operation Granby (1990–1991) saw REME support the largest deployment of British armoured forces since the Second World War, maintaining Challenger tanks and other equipment in a desert environment under the pressure of an imminent ground offensive. In the 1990s, REME supported British forces in Bosnia and Kosovo. In 2000, the Corps deployed to Sierra Leone as part of Operation Palliser.

Iraq and Afghanistan

Operations in Iraq (Operation Telic, 2003–2011) and Afghanistan (Operation Herrick, 2002–2014) were the most sustained and demanding commitments in REME's modern history. The threat from improvised explosive devices placed particular pressure on vehicle recovery and repair capability. Corps craftsmen worked continuously to keep equipment operational and to recover and repair vehicles damaged in action — sometimes under fire and frequently under severe operational and time pressure.

Collecting REME Cap Badges

The REME cap badge offers a more varied collecting field than it might initially appear. Two distinct badge patterns, two Crown forms across three chronological periods, officer and other rank examples, and eight decades of manufacturing history give the serious collector considerable scope. The REME Museum and Kipling and King's Head-Dress Badges of the British Army remain the authoritative starting points for identification and dating.

First Pattern Calipers Badges (1942–1947)

Worn for only five years, the First Pattern badge is now comparatively scarce. Wartime production included moulded-plastic examples and locally made variants alongside standard struck-metal badges. Collectors should consult specialist reference works and the REME Museum for guidance on identification. Condition and provenance are important considerations given the limited number of surviving examples.

Second Pattern King's Crown Badges — George VI (1947–1952)

Early Second Pattern badges bearing the Tudor Crown of King George VI were produced for only five years. They are distinguished from post-2022 King's Crown examples by their metal composition, die detail, construction, and reverse fittings. A collector who can tell the two apart is already ahead of most.

Second Pattern Queen's Crown Badges (1952–2022)

Queen's Crown REME badges were produced for seventy years and are the most commonly encountered examples. Die detail and construction quality vary between manufacturers and periods — and that variation is itself a collecting interest.

Second Pattern King's Crown Badges — King Charles III (2022–Present)

Current King's Crown examples represent the opening of a new collecting chapter. Our officially licensed REME King's Crown Cap Badge is available now.

Officer and Other Rank Badges

Officers' badges were produced in silver and gilt, to a higher specification than Other Rank examples. Other Rank badges were produced in gilding metal and white metal, with construction and finish varying by manufacturer and period. The distinction is visible on close examination and applies across all Crown variants of the REME badge.

Materials, Finishes and Manufacturing

The manufacturing history of the REME cap badge reflects the broader evolution of British insignia production across eight decades. Wartime and early post-war badges were typically struck in white metal or gilding metal. Second Pattern badges normally use contrasting gilt and silver-coloured elements, although the materials and method of construction vary by manufacturer and period. Anodised aluminium badges (Staybrite) were introduced during the 1950s and 1960s; lighter than traditional brass, gilding-metal or white-metal examples, with a bright finish that does not tarnish, they are immediately recognisable. Variations in die detail, metal, construction, and reverse fittings across manufacturers and periods are a recognised area of interest for those who specialise in this badge.

Maker's Marks

Recognised manufacturers of REME badges include J.R. Gaunt & Son of London and Birmingham, and Firmin & Sons of London. Maker's names may be stamped or raised on the reverse, often on the slider or another fitting, although many genuine badges are unmarked. Identifying specific makers — through die detail, construction, and reverse fittings — adds a further dimension to the field.

Provenance

Provenance adds to the interest of any example. Badges accompanied by service records, photographs, or other documentation linking them to a named individual or specific unit are of particular historical interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was REME created?

REME was created to meet the growing complexity of modern military equipment during the Second World War. The Cabinet's Beveridge Committee recommended the formation of a dedicated engineering corps. By bringing together responsibilities previously held by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Corps of Signals, and other technical branches, the Army gained a unified engineering support capability under a single professional identity.

When was REME formed?

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was formally constituted on 1 October 1942 under Major-General Sir Eric Bertram Rowcroft. The reorganisation was completed in two stages, with Phase II in 1949 transferring full unit-repair responsibility to REME and bringing nearly 10,000 additional personnel into the Corps.

Why did the REME cap badge change in 1947?

The First Pattern badge was replaced following King George VI's reported dissatisfaction with the design. More than 200 alternative designs were examined before Stephen Gooden produced the Second Pattern badge, sealed on 14 August 1947.

What does the chained horse represent?

The chained horse was derived from the crest of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Officially, the horse and chain represent power and control — the disciplined application of force that is the engineer's art.

What does Arte et Marte mean?

Arte et Marte is Latin for "By Skill and by Fighting" — the Corps motto. It does not appear on the cap badge itself; it is expressed through the badge's symbolism and the Corps' ethos of Soldier first, Craftsman always.

How do I identify King's Crown and Queen's Crown REME badges?

The Tudor Crown (King's Crown) — a closed imperial crown with a distinctive arched form — appears on badges from the reigns of King George VI (1947–1952) and King Charles III (2022–present). St Edward's Crown (Queen's Crown) — a more rounded, cushion-shaped form — appears on badges from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952–2022). Held side by side, the difference is readily apparent.

Is the First Pattern calipers badge scarce?

Yes. Worn for only five years, from 1942 to 1947, the First Pattern badge is now comparatively scarce. Wartime production included moulded-plastic examples and locally made variants, which adds complexity to identification. Collectors should consult specialist reference works and the REME Museum for guidance.

Who designed the current REME cap badge?

The Second Pattern badge was designed by Stephen Gooden CBE, RA (1892–1955). The design was sealed on 14 August 1947 and has remained the basis of REME cap badge design ever since, with only the Royal Crown changing to reflect the reigning Sovereign.

REME's Enduring Legacy

The REME cap badge has been worn through the battles of the Second World War, the long commitments of the Cold War, the Falklands, the Gulf, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It has changed only once in design — in 1947, when Stephen Gooden replaced the First Pattern with the chained horse that has served the Corps ever since. Two Crown forms have appeared across three chronological periods, reflecting three reigns. The essential chained-horse design has otherwise remained recognisably unchanged.

For the collector, the badge offers two distinct patterns, two Crown forms spanning three chronological periods, and a manufacturing history that spans eight decades. For the historian, it connects the workshops of El Alamein to the forward operating bases of Helmand. For the veteran or serving craftsman, it is the badge of a corps whose craftsmen have kept the Army's equipment in the field across more than eighty years of service.

Further Reading

The following sources are recommended for those wishing to research REME history and insignia in greater depth.

• REME Museum — The official museum of the Corps, housing collections of vehicles, equipment, insignia, and documents spanning the full history of REME from 1942 to the present.
• REME Museum — Cap Badge History — The Museum's dedicated cap badge resource, providing authoritative information on the history and evolution of the badge from the First Pattern to the present day.
• British Army — Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers — The official British Army page for REME.
• National Army Museum — Collections and research resources covering the full history of the Army, including REME.
• Imperial War Museums — Extensive collections relating to the Second World War and subsequent operations.
• REME Association — The veterans' association of the Corps.
• The London Gazette — Primary source for Army Orders, formation notices, and official announcements relating to REME.
• College of Arms — Authoritative source for heraldic matters relating to British military insignia.
• Kipling, A.L., and King, H.L., Head-Dress Badges of the British Army — The standard collector's reference for British Army cap badges.

Officially Licensed REME Emblems & Heritage Displays

Precision Military Emblems produces officially licensed REME heritage display frames and cap badges — museum-style displays produced under official MOD licence: King's Crown Cap Badge, Queen's Crown Cap Badge, King's Crown Display Frame, and Queen's Crown Display Frame.

About Precision Military Emblems

Precision Military Emblems holds official Ministry of Defence licences to produce British military emblems and museum-style heritage displays for a growing range of regiments and corps. Every product is built on the same depth of historical research that underpins this article series.