The RCA Cap Badge Red Flash 1945-1969

Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) John Dick has written a ​summary regarding the red flash worn behind the artillery cap badge on some of the 1950's photos of the 43rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA. The Canadian Army (Overseas) authorized the red flash in April 1945. All artillery units other than the airborne were authorized the flash in the post war army for wear on the khaki and blue berets and the bush and winter peaked caps. The flash was a separate piece of red cloth cut to the outline of the cap badge. The flash disappeared gradually from wear in the late 1950s and 1960s as the Army changed its garrison and ceremonial headdress. During its twenty or so years of wear, the red flash added colour to otherwise drab khaki uniforms, improved the appearance and visibility of the RCA cap badge and enhanced Regimental esprit de corps.  You can find the article in our reference section here.