Offically known as "Numerals, Shoulder, Worsted, Canadian Provost Corps", red on black embroidered patches were authorised for wear on Service Dress, and later, battledress. This insignia was worn only in Canada. These numerals were proposed in mid 1941, but clear instructions were not promulgated until early 1942. The first instructions for wear were issued on the 3rd of December 1941:

Canadian Provost Corps H.Q.
Circular Letter No. 119/41
Canada Badges
Shoulder Badges and Company Identification Numerals
Canadian Provost Corps - Wearing of
In view of the uncertainty as to the correct manner of wearing m/n, the following instructions will be observed by O/R’s: -
a. Badges “Canada” - (2 ¾” long and 1” deep) will be worn ½” below the shoulder seam.
b. Embroidered Patch “Provost” (With numerals &/or letter sewn thereon) will be worn 5/8” below the “Canada” badge.
2. The above will be adopted pending the issue of authorized sleeve patch and numerals outlined in Circular Letter No. 52/41.

Provost Corps Circular Letter No. 21/42, dated 7 February 1942 indicated that the new sleeve insignia (ie: coloured shoulder title) was to be worn at the top of the sleeve, flush with the base of the shoulder strap on jackets, serge drab, and jackets, khaki drill, and ½ inch below the base of the shoulder strap on greatcoats. The numeral or letter was to be worn immediately below the word “CORPS” with no intervening space. The “Canada” badge was to be worn ½ inch below the numeral.

The numerals were authorized for Other Ranks; there is no mention of their approval for Provost officers. Other Ranks were authorized 3 pairs of shoulder titles and numerals or letters.

Company numerals were worsted and ¾ of an inch square in size. They were to be sewn directly below the Canadian Provost Corps worsted shoulder title. In practice, examples have been seen sewn onto the bottom of the title, presumably before the title was sewn onto the uniform. Examples also have been seen where the numeral is located as much as ½ inch below the bottom of the title, notably on greatcoats. Numerals are also known to have been worn on the worsted slip-on. The numerals were worn on battledress, khaki drill, the serge service dress and greatcoats.

Although the numerals were approved for wear in Canada, their use overseas was not made clear and on the 11th of October 1941 an enquiry was sent from Canadian Ordnance to Canadian Military Headquarters in London:

Stores 862 Canadian Provost Corps in Canada being issued with numerals for various companies and letters denoting specific duty example D for Detention Barracks for identification purposes. Obtain recommendation Deputy Provost Marshal and state if such distinctive badges needed in Great Britain.

To which a reply was received on the 14th of October:

Your Stores 862. Deputy Provost Marshal states numerals for various companies and letters denoting specific duty for Canadian Provost Corps not repeat not required in United Kingdom.

On the 23rd of May 1947, Canadian Army Order 197-2 declared the numerals from 11 to 29 and 60 to 94 obsolete, as well as the letter “D”. No further reference to the other company numerals has as yet been located by the author. No numeral higher than 48 has yet been noted, it is believed that numerals above 48 were intended for use by Service Detention Barracks, but may never have been issued.

London Ont. Redesignated 30 Coy, 1942

Toronto Ont. Redesignated 31 Coy, 1942

Camp Borden Ont. Redesignated 32 Coy, 1942

Redesignated 33 Coy, 1942

Montreal Que. Redesignated 34 Coy, 1942

Redesignated 35 Coy, 1942

Quebec Que. Redesignated 36 Coy, 1942

Halifax N.S. Redesignated 37 Coy, 1942

Redesignated 38 Coy, 1942

St. John N.B. Redesignated 39 Coy, 1942

Newfoundland 1943 - 1946

Redesignated 40 Coy, 1942

Victoria B.C. Redesignated 41 Coy, 1942

Redesignated 42 Coy, 1942

Regina Sask. Redesignated 43 Coy, 1942

Calgary Alta. Redesignated 44 Coy, 1942

London Ont.

Toronto Ont.

Camp Borden Ont.

Camp Borden Ont.

Montreal Que.

Quebec Que.

Halifax N.S.

St. John N.B.

Victoria B.C.

Regina Sask.

Calgary Alta.