Second World War Royal Australian Engineers 13th Field Coy AIF Shoulder Colour Patch (single)

Colour patches were worn by the Australian Army at the head of jacket sleeves and greatcoats between 1915 and 1950 primarily to distinguish one unit from another. The patches were based on the colour flags that were staked on the battlefield in the First World War to distinguish unit lines. A Divisional Order - Number 81 (A) Administration -issued at Mena in Egypt described the colours and shape of the patches to be worn. Colour combinations indicated the function of the unit while the shape indicated the formation to which the unit belonged. After the First World War the patches were worn by the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) and so the militia became identified with the divisional structure of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
The Army units of the Second World War wore patches with a grey background in response to the reduced number of battalions in each brigade (4 to 3). In November 1940, another instruction was issued whereby the second AIF battalions would wear the patches from the first AIF but on a grey background with the shape reflecting their divisions. This system was used until 1949 as the Australian Army adopted the British system using embroidered shoulder titles, formations signs and lanyards. Around 1960-unit formation signs were dropped, followed by the partial replacement of shoulder titles with metal abbreviated corps and regimental titles worn on shoulder straps. In 1987 the wearing of colour patches on the right side of the puggarees on hats to acknowledge the Army’s heritage was authorised by the Chief of the General Staff.