The Cap Badge and Collar Badges

Cap Badge 

The 44th Battalion had two distinct cap badges during its existence.

An initial Cap Badge was used from 1930-1942. It depicted a Grass Tree in the centre of an oval containing the words “Forty Fourth Battalion West Australian Rifles”. The oval is flanked by wreaths and has the King’s Crown on top. At the base of the badge is a scroll containing the words “In Hoc Signo Vinces”.

Grass Tree – The Grass Tree is a famous local flora of Western Australia. It was historically known as the “blackboy tree”. The main training base for West Australian soldiers in World War One was at Blackboy Hill Camp near Northam. The Grass Tree thus represents the training establishment that the men of the 44th battalion went through

Oval – The colour patch of the 44th Battalion is an oval, making that shape a defining symbol of the unit. The Title “West Australian Rifles” was used by the battalion during the interwar period.

King’s Crown – Represents loyalty to His Majesty, The King.

Wreaths – A common symbol of British-derived military units.

Scroll – The motto, “In Hoc Signo Vinces” translates to “In This Sign Thou Shalt Conquer”. 

The next Cap Badge was in use from 1948-1960 during which time the 44th Battalion was merged with the 11th Battalion as the 11th/44th Battalion City of Perth Regiment. It depicted a Grass Tree over a Black Swan with the word “Vigilans” in between. The design was inside an 8 pointed star with the words “11/44 Infantry Battalion”. At the top of the star was the King’s/Queen’s Crown and at the base of the star was the words “City of Perth Regiment”.

Grass Tree & Black Swan – The Grass Tree was the insignia of the 44th Battalion while the Black Swan was the insignia of the 11th Battalion.

Vigilans – The motto of the 11th Battalion and a common motto amongst Western Australian military units in general.

8 Pointed Star – A common symbol for previous iterations of the 11th Battalion and amongst Western Australian military units in general.

King’s/Queen’s Crown – The King’s Crown in use from 1948-1952 and then the Queen’s Crown in use from 1952-1960.
City of Perth Regiment – The title of the unit.

Collar Badges

The Collar Badges were much the same as the Cap Badges. Officer’s had their collar badges embellished in colour.