Dominion of India slip on titles?

[loupie1961]

I have posted this thread on the British Badges forum, regarding an Australian made BD blouse I have bought sometime ago sporting quite puzzling insignia. On the epaulette two printed canvas slip on loops can be found, which read: "D o I / RLYS". I had originally came to the conclusion that they should be read as "Department of Industry - Railways". The BD blouse sports the rank chevrons of a corporal, the ribbon of the Territorial Efficiency Medal provided with rosette (I do not know the meaning of the rosette) while the WD Broad Arrows are superimposed on F.S. instead than on WD. I have been suggested that D o I could be read as "Dominion of India" and the fashion of the printed slip on loops some how reminds that of the WWII Indian Army slip on titles. In this case F.S. could stand for "Foreign Service"? Any help would be thoroughly appreciated!

[peter monahan]

As the Dominion of India existed only from August 1947 to January 1950, I'd think that an unlikely answer, but of course it's possible. Dept or Directorate of Industry, or something like it, strikes me as more likely.

No idea of the meaning of 'F.S.' I'm afraid. perhaps one of the members with Aussie expertise can assist.

[Postwarden]

I have posted an identification on the badges on this BD on the original British Badges thread.

Jon

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Postwarden

I have posted an identification on the badges on this BD on the original British Badges thread.

Jon

Thank you Jon!

[peter monahan]

Here it is in a nut shell, from Jon's post elsewhere.

"The epaulette slip-on is that of the Railways Section of the Defence of India Corps, formed in India in 1943. This consisted largely of the civilian employees of India's Docks and Railways who were mobilised in a non-combatant role to work with the Military units of the Royal Indian Engineers operating the railways and ports in the Lines of Communication supplying operations in Burma."

Thanks, Jon.

[Bill Harris]

Hi, yes I concur, it strikes me as likely the Defence of India Corps. As mentioned they oversaw vital docks and railways, and also the Posts and Telegraphs Department. I'd say that's a very nice piece you've got there, and probably one that's not easy to find these days.

[peter monahan]

Yes, probably quite rare, though undoubtedly not uncommon during the war. One tends to forget how large the support element, military and otherwise, is in any modern military enterprise, from factories to civil defence groups to dock and railway workers. Hard to put a value on this, but it is an unusual piece with an interesting background.

[loupie1961]

still there is the matter of the F.S. superimposed by the Broad Arrow: could they stand for "Foreign Service"?

[peter monahan]

Not a specialist in markings but I would have thought it unlikely to stamp an item as 'foreign service' unless it were a particular mark/model not issued for home service and even then it seems a bit odd. I suspect itm is either a maker's mark or a stores stamp of some sort, possible the latter as its clearly a post manufacture over stamp.

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by peter monahan

Not a specialist in markings but I would have thought it unlikely to stamp an item as 'foreign service' unless it were a particular mark/model not issued for home service and even then it seems a bit odd. I suspect itm is either a maker's mark or a stores stamp of some sort, possible the latter as its clearly a post manufacture over stamp.

thank you Peter, quite an interesting analysis...

[fairlie63]

Out of curiosity, what identifies this clothing item as of Australian manufacture?

Keith

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

Out of curiosity, what identifies this clothing item as of Australian manufacture?

Keith

i have assumed it form the shape and size of the tag, but as a matter of fact I haven't got any definitive evidence!