Unit (medic) ID..? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Roy · #1 17-03-17, 08:16 PM

Hi Gents,

I recently picked up this splendid photo (Boer War?) of a medic. Frustratingly I can 'almost' make out his shoulder title so wondered if you chaps could have a look just in case it rings any bells?

Cheerio,

Roy

P.s. disclaimer - I may offer this for sale at some time in the future.

Milmed · #2 18-03-17, 03:38 AM

Hi Roy,
Looking at the size of the title and that it occupies most of the width of the shoulder strap, I would say it is an Royal Army Medical Corps title (RAMC)

Steven

Sonofacqms · #3 18-03-17, 08:46 AM

Looking at his right sleeve he appears to have a red cross above his stripe, so RAMC is probably correct.

Rob

Roy · #4 18-03-17, 01:58 PM

Hi Gents,

Thanks for that.

RAMC, seemed logical to me but for some reason my eyes just can't see it in the shoulder title, could just be be.

A few more pics.

Cheers,

Roy

manchesters · #5 18-03-17, 02:09 PM

Just because he is wearing the Red Cross trade badge does not make him RAMC.

Infantry Battalions (and I have seen a Victorian photo of an Artillery Volunteer) had Bearer Companies, the men of which also wore this badge.

regards

Roy · #6 18-03-17, 02:41 PM

Hi Simon,

Thank you for that, I suspected as much as I have seen other images.

Any thoughts on the shoulder title?

Cheerio,

Roy

peter monahan · #7 18-03-17, 02:44 PM

Simon is correct: the small red cross badge is a trade/skill badge and signifies a Stretcher Bearer [with some 'first aid' training]. In 1914 every infantry battalion had twelve of them on strneght, that number increased to 18 and eventually 24, I think, as the war went on. Not 100% sure of the exact numbers, but numbers increased twice by 1916 and eventually untrained men were issued 'SB' armbands and used during periods of heavy casualties.

Hoot · #8 18-03-17, 05:27 PM

I think he was a Rifle Brigade stretcher bearer, going by the rank chevron, although the buttons might not tally. The shoulder title looks like RB.

Sonofacqms · #9 18-03-17, 10:01 PM

When was this style of F/S cap worn?

I know it has been worn on and off over the years, but with the belt buckle it looks to me to be around 1900.

The title looks too large to be Rifle Brigade to me, but I may be wrong.

Rob

Roy · #10 18-03-17, 10:37 PM

Hi Rob,

I believe this images dates to around the Boer War. The buckle clearly has a QV crown.

Cheers,

Roy

grumpy · #11 08-10-17, 04:28 PM

The only personnel entitled to the Geneva Cross in circle arm badge were RAMC. This also applies to the Red Cross brassard. I would be most grateful to see any official order to the contrary.

Non-RAMC personnel such as qualified Stretcher bearers in VF/TF wore an SB [Red/Blue] in circle arm badge and, when on duty, an SB brassard. Regular infantry SBs wore no badge as such [although often bandsmen until the weight of casualties required more help]

Having said that, I do have photographs of infantrymen [both VF, TF and Regular] wearing the Geneva Cross badge. Most are NCOs. This is presumably with the sanction of their superior officers and presumably indicates a degree of appropriate training.

Nevertheless the War Establishments of infantry units once the RAMC was founded usually include a small intrinsic element of RAMC men under the RAMC RMO.

Hope this helps.

grumpy · #12 09-10-17, 09:07 AM

Bumping this up as an attempt to gently correct some misinformation in the thread.

Peter Brydon · #13 09-10-17, 10:19 AM

Illustration of SB badge being worn by Volunteer NCO attached.

P.B.

grumpy · #14 09-10-17, 10:46 AM

A very nice example of double bugle too.
Thank you.

manchesters · #15 09-10-17, 11:43 AM

Peter,

Great to see that photo. Here is an example of the Colour Sergeant badge from a member of the 1st V.B. and 5th (TF) Bn. The King's.

Note the green cushions to the crown which are also present in other Kings Crown Prize badges I have to that Battalion.

The one in the photo is slightly different in its construction but none the less worn at the same time.

regards