Chevrons - Embroidered

A chevron is a rank insignia worn by Non-Commissioned Officers (Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant) of the British Army and most of the Commonwealth Countries’ defence, police and cadet forces. The chevrons worn by many non-commissioned officers are based on heraldic devices and their current use for NCOs originates from the time of the Napoleonic Wars in 1802. Sergeants wore three chevrons, point downwards, on the upper arm, and corporals wore two, with sergeants-major and quarter-master-sergeants then having four. Lance corporal, at the time was not a rank but an appointment historically known as ‘chosen man’ and carrying extra pay for privates holding it, were given a single chevron a few years later, and later in the century the lance-sergeant appeared, wearing three chevrons.  The infantry rank of Colour Sergeant was created in 1813 as a reward for senior sergeants with one allowed per company. He was allowed to wear a badge consisting of a regimental colour supported by two crossed swords. It is only since 1961 that lance-corporal has been a separate rank in its own right, and the appointment of lance-sergeant was discontinued in 1946, except in the Foot Guards and Honourable Artillery Company (and its equivalent, lance-corporal of horse, in the Household Cavalry).

 On the Number 6 training dress (Green Denim) for cadets and Adult Instructors of the J.C.C.F. Chevrons are black or worsted green and khaki, on all other uniform worn the colour of these chevrons are white except for the Ceremonial Dress where the chevron(s) are usually designed in the nationally representative colours of the regiment.

Active Gear offers a wide range of chevrons to choose from done at the highest quality to suit your units, companies, battalion’s needs.  We supply white embroidered chevrons on khaki felt backing and Royal Air Force (RAF) blue felt backing. Other forces wear the chevrons on brassards of which you can order here as well.  We also have gold embroidered chevrons on scarlet felt backing for your Ceremonial Dress.