Royal Army Medical Corps Inter-war Cap of Staff Officer
This is a fine example of a No. 1 Dress Cap worn by a Staff Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps dated from the inter-war years between WW1 and WW2. It was made by Alkit in London. Compare to the regular No. 2 Undress Visor Cap which has a visor covered in the same cloth as the body and crown of the cap.
This is the bimetal insignia introduced after the the end of World War II in the 1950's with a new motto "In Aduis Fidelis". All of the Insignia have the "King's Crown" which changed to the "Queen's Crown" with the Coronation of Elizabeth II 1952.
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) bimetal insignia featuring the motto In Arduis Fidelis (Faithful in Adversity) on the bottom scroll, was officially sealed (approved) in September 1950. This pattern replaced the previous design which spelled out "ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS" on the lower banner. The Insignia was no doubt updated by the Officer after 1950.
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was officially amalgamated on November 15, 2024. [1, 2]
Under a modernization initiative known as Project Victoria, the RAMC merged with two other medical branches:
The Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC)
The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC)
These three branches were unified to form a single, cohesive entity known as the Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS). This amalgamation brought an end to the RAMC's 126-year history as an independent corps since its original creation in 1898. Here is the Insignia worn during WW2.
1902–1950: The iconic cap badge featuring the Rod of Asclepius (a serpent coiled around a staff) enclosed in a laurel wreath and topped with a crown was approved in May 1902. Badges featured a scroll at the bottom reading "ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS."
1950: The corps' title was removed from the lower scroll and replaced with their Latin motto, "In Arduis Fidelis" (Faithful in Adversity).
1953 Onward: Following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the King's (Tudor) Crown on the cap badge was replaced with the Queen's (St Edward's) Crown.
2024 Amalgamation: The traditional dark blue beret and individual badges were phased out and replaced by a standardized cap badge and Athol grey beret for all Defence Medical Services personnel.
Below is an example of the RAMC Helmet Plate on the Home Service Helmet at the beginning of the 20th Century with an Edwardian (King's) Crown.
This is the bimetal insignia introduced after the the end of World War II in the 1950's with a new motto "In Aduis Fidelis". All of the Insignia have the "King's Crown" which changed to the "Queen's Crown" with the Coronation of Elizabeth II 1952.
