The colour patch of the 1st Military Police Battalion
History of the Military Police colour patch
Researched by Antony Buckingham, Australian Military Police History website, 2005
With the raising of the 1st Military Police Battalion in August 2000 and the subsequent issue of the Battalion colour patch above in 2001, it is interesting to note this is not the first time Australian MP have worn colour patches on their uniforms.
During WW1, Units of the 1st AIF were issued with colour patches to identify their type of Unit within the Corps, Division, Brigade and Regimental structures. The Military Police of the Australian Army, newly raised during the First World War was not issued a colour patch and this remained so throughout the war.
During the post WW1 years an attempt was made during the 1930s to introduce colour patches to the Regular Forces; however, the depression and lack of money forced the Army to place the proposal on hold.
In 1939 the Australian Army was back at war. It was decided that all Units of the 2nd AIF were to wear identical colour patches to corresponding numbered units of the 1st AIF, but with some form of distinguishing mark to avoid confusion with CMF Units which had also inherited the colour patches of former 1st AIF Units. The solution to this problem was to place the colour patch on a background of battleship grey cloth, which appeared as a 1/4 inch wide border on all sides of the colour patch.
The Australian Army Provost Corps was re-raised in 1939 and because the Corps had no colour patch from either the original AIF or CMF a completely new colour patch design was made for the Corps.
You will notice from the 1 MP Battalion colour patch that it has a white V superimposed over the design of the patch. In 1940, General Blamey, Commander of the 2nd AIF, suggested to the Military Board that a "boomerang" be superimposed over the colour patch to denote Provost Corps. This was rejected and a white V over the colour patch of the Unit to which the Provost belonged to was approved. By January 1940 the first of these, colour patches were being issued to the Provost Corps. The following correspondence occurred between General Blamey and the Ordnance Services over this matter:
Minute from General Blamey dated 19 February 1940 to the Military Board
Colour Patch - 6 Aus. Pro. Coy
I attach a design in colour which I desire to have as the colour patch for the above mentioned unit.
I recommend also that a boomerang be adopted as the distinguishing sign of the Provost Corps in designing patches for the Provost Company attached to the Australian Overseas Base, or for other Provost Units which may be raised in the future.
Reply to above minute (exact date unknown) from Director of Ordnance Services
Distinguishing Colour Patch - Provost Corps
With reference to your memorandum dated 19th February 1940, on the above subject, I am directed by the Master-General of the Ordnance to advise that, as the boomerang is incorporated in the badges of the Australian Staff Corps, and the Royal Military College, it is regretted that its adoption as a distinctive emblem for the colour patch of the Provost Corps, 2nd AIF, cannot be approved.
An alternative design, incorporating the colours of the Divisional Patch, and following in broad outline the design submitted, is attached for your consideration as being suitable for adoption. (a white V superimposed over colour patch)
The white V has continued on to this day and our existing Battalion colour patch bears the same distinguishing feature. Blamey was very supportive of the Provosts during WW2 and believed they had a very useful and important roll to perform in support of the Australian Army.
As the Australian Army grew in number and specialisation the problem of allocating colour patches to new Units became unworkable and ideas were suggested to fix the problem. By 1942 an idea was put forward for an "arm of service" patch, that would be worn to denote Corps identity regardless of what formation the soldier was posted to and remove the necessity for Units to change their colour patches when moving from formation to formation. An attempt at this stage to introduce a single colour patch for all units of the Australian Army Provost Corps was rejected by the Provost Marshal in 1943.
Persistent attempts continued throughout the war and was continually turned down. Whilst the logistical and financial considerations were ideal the senior Army command believed that the public resentment and outcry following such a decision might have unforseen political consequences. By 1944 the colour patch question was gaining momentum again and it was decided that due to concerns over the inability of the clothing industry to supply colour patches in the quantities required and the need, for that reason, to reduce the amount of designs in use that the "arm of service" patch be approved. By 1945 the Provost Corps was approved as a Corps suitable for an "arm of service" patch and were to replace any patches previously approved for the Corps and Service in question. The overall aim was never achieved due to the end of the war within months of its introduction and Provost Units continued to wear existing colour patches.
With Australia's involvement in the Occupation of Japan as part of BCOF, the 1st Australian Provost Company was raised in Japan in September 1947 from the 23rd and 24th Australian Independent Provost Platoons for service with BCOF, wore the Provost "arm of service patch". By 1949 this patch disappeared and was replaced by the BCOF shoulder patch as the Provosts moved to an integrated Provost unit containing British and Australian Provosts.
With the change of Australian Army dress by the late 1940s the Australian Army was moving away from the colour patch system and adopting the British concept of Corps badges and embroidered Corps and Regimental shoulder titles to denote Corps. By 1951 the colour patch was dead.
In July 1987, to help foster the Army's heritage, authority was given for units on the current Order of Battle who could claim direct lineage to a wartime unit with similar role to adopt that colour patch and to be worn on the right (central) side of the puggaree of the "slouch hat".
Because our Corps has been around since 1916, RACMP had little problem satisfying the requirement of direct lineage and 1 MP Company, then located in Brisbane was approved to wear the first post WW2 MP colour patch. The colour patch was similar in design to that issued to the 6th Division Provost Company in 1940 (the first MP company raised for war service in 1939/1940) and later the 1st Provost Company BCOF in 1946.
With the raising of the 1st Military Police Battalion (1 MP Bn) in 2000, the colour patch at the top of this page was authorised for wear by all members posted to 1 MP Bn and is still worn to this day. The history behind this colour patch is still under research at this time and will be updated when current research is completed.
It is interesting to note the colours used in the colour patch and explore the possible reasons behind the use of those colours.
In the 1965 RSL handbook, the following was written by an unknown author about Military colours and is useful today to trace the heritage of colours used by the Australian Army to denote Corps colours for badges, patches, signs etc:
Colours have always had significance for soldiers.An 18th Century military writer recorded the following colours and their meanings:
YELLOW - Stood for honour, which must never be questioned.
WHITE - for innocence and truth.
BLACK - signified wisdom and sobriety.
BLUE - for faith and constancy.
RED - was for justice.
GREEN - signified good hope.
PURPLE - fortitude with discretion.
TUNNIS (Tawny) - was for merit.
Based upon the colour code described above, it is interesting to note the colours used in the 1 MP Bn colour patch of White, Red and Black. Based upon those colours the colour patch represents innocence and truth, wisdom, sobriety and justice. Not a bad way of describing the attributes required of a Military Policeman or woman and underpins the daily values that all MPs should try to live by.