Wooden ships of the Royal Navy had elaborate figureheads often reflecting the name of the vessel. Steel warships did not have figureheads and a need for ships' badges arose. Initially these were unregulated designs. During the First World War the Commanding Officer of the new destroyer H.M.S. Tower asked Major C.J. ffoulkes (1868-1947), then Curator and subsequently Master of the Tower Armouries to design a badge. He was subsequently requested to design others and the Admiralty Board set up a Ships' Badges Committee in 1918 to regulate ships' badges with Major ffoulkes as the first Adviser on Heraldry.

Since 1934 when Sir Arthur Cochrane (1872-1954), Clarenceux King of Arms was appointed Adviser on Naval Badges in succession to Major ffoulkes the post has been held by an officer of the College of Arms. The responsibility of the Adviser is to attend meetings of the Ship' Names and Badges Committee and to produce designs for naval badges which are of different shapes depending on the type of ship or naval establishment.

The records of ships' badges are not kept at the College of Arms and enquiries should be addressed to:

Miss J M Wright, Secretary, Ships' Names and Badges Committee
Admiralty Library
Naval Historical Branch (Naval Staff
Ministry of Defence
Number 24 Store
PP20
Main Road
HM Naval Base Portsmouth
PO1 3LU

Telephone number: 023 9272 5297

b) Inspector of Regimental Colours

The office of Inspector of Regimental Colours was instituted in 1806 in order to regulate the design of the various Colours, Guidons, and Standards of the Army. Regulations for these had been laid down in 1768, but were widely ignored and designs left to the whim of individual Colonels. The first Inspector was George Nayler (1764-1831), York Herald, later Garter King of Arms.

Since that time the office of Inspector has normally been held by Garter King of Arms. The present incumbent, Peter Gwynn-Jones, was appointed in 1995. As the Army's heraldic adviser he is responsible for approving all new designs for Colours, Guidons, Standards, Cap Badges, Defence Agencies etc. The artwork for all new designs is prepared at the College of Arms by a heraldic artist, signed by the Inspector, and then submitted to The Queen, via the Ministry of Defence, for formal approval. Once The Queen has signed the painting, it is returned to the College for safe keeping.

c) Inspector of Royal Air Force Badges

The Inspectorate was establsihed in 1917. The current holder is Peter Gwynn-Jones, Garter King of Arms, appointed in 1996. The Inspector provides advice on all heraldic matters pertaining to the RAF, such as Squadron and Station Badges.

An archive of all official paintings is held at the College although this is not open to the public. Copy paintings of original badges may be commissioned on payment of a fee. Alternatively coloured photocopies of badges may be requested by letter after payment of a search fee of £20 (cheques to be made payable to The College of Arms).

Routine enquiries should be addressed directly to:

HQ PTC (LON)
Bldg 263
RAF Bentley Priory
Stanmore
Middlesex
HA7 3HH

About the College of Arms: index