WW1 British BEF Signals Trade Patch 1

The WW1 British BEF Signals Trade Patch is an original insignia issued to members of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) serving in signal units during the First World War. This patch was worn on the sleeve of a soldier’s uniform to indicate specialized training and duties in military communications, including telegraphy, telephony, and visual signaling. The design typically features crossed flags, which symbolize the signal trade, rendered in colored embroidery on a fabric backing. Signalers played a vital role in maintaining communication between front-line units and higher command, making the trade patch an important identifier within the BEF. The specific shape, size, and coloration of the patch conformed to regulations set by the War Office during the 1914–1918 period. Collectors and historians value these patches for their connection to wartime communication and their representation of military organizational structure during WW1.