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The History of the Auxiliary Blazer Badge by COMO Joseph Giannattasio
The Auxiliary Blue Blazer outfit may be substituted for most Auxiliary uniforms , for social events , including conference banquets . The Blue Blazer may be single-breasted , dark blue flannel , tropical worsted , or similar blend ; twoor three-button , with civilian or Auxiliary buttons , and with pockets . A component unique to the outfit is the Auxiliary Patch , also known as the Auxiliary blazer badge .
It is extremely difficult to attempt to trace an exact history of the blazer badge because there are a number of origins from which the modern blazer , and the blazer badges that adorn them , descend . The first incarnation of the blazer began life as a rowing jacket in the early 1800 ’ s , worn by members of the rowing club of St . John ’ s College , Cambridge . The club jackets were termed blazers because of the bright red cloth which were said to have created a “ blaze ” of color when worn by the rowers . Another theory places the origins of the blazer to the Captain of HMS Blazer who , in 1837 , dressed his crew in dark blue double-breasted jackets adorned with brass buttons , in an effort to impress the visiting Queen Victoria . The attire met with the royal approval , and this style of jacket soon spread to other ships . This , today , is known commonly as the navy blazer . The opportunity to provide the wearer individual expression and individuality comes in the form of the blazer badge . Traditionally worn to denote membership or affiliation to a particular group or organization , but not exclusively for this purpose , the blazer badge adorns the out-breast pocket , adding a certain level of character to the garment .
There is very little documentation available on the subject but research indicates the first Auxiliary blazer badge was a hand embroidered gold & silver bullion wire circle and Auxiliary shield centered on a black background .
By 1966 the Auxiliary blazer badge design changed to the silver “ shield and crossed anchors ” circled insignia of silver wire bullion on a black background . This version of the blazer patch began incorporating clutch back pins , which allows the patch to be removed or reapplied to a different jacket .
An alternative design was offered around 1975 of the silver eagle and crossed anchors emblem with a centered blue and gold shield , embroidered in colored metallic threads on black backing .
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