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  #1  
Old 03-01-08, 06:38 PM
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Default Royal Artillery Association Uniformed Staff

THE ROYAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION UNIFORMED STAFF

The Royal Artillery Association Uniformed Staff (R.A.A.U.S.) was formed in 1924 with the object of assisting men who have served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery to find employment.
At the same time Employers are offered the services of men who have proved them¬selves to be reliable, honest and industrious when serving in the Royal Artillery and who are considered likely to maintain high stan¬dards in civilian life.

SELECTION

Candidates for the Royal Artillery Association Uniformed Staff (R.A.A.U.S.), must have served in the Royal Artillery and on discharge must have had an assessment of character of exemplary with more than five years service or very good with less than five years service. the higher grading of exem¬plary can only be given to those who serve for five years or more. Candidates are very carefully screened and only those considered worthy in every respect are accepted. Any member who fails to maintain the high standards of conduct demanded is removed from membership and is NOT offered further employment through the Royal Artillery Employment Bureau. Employers are therefore assured that any member of the R.A.A.U.S., sent to them with a view to employment is strongly recom¬mended by the Royal Artillery Association.

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

On acceptance the man is equipped with a complete uniform. In addition he is given badges which remain the property of the Royal Artillery Association. For these badges he makes a deposit of £1 which is repayed in full when he leaves the R.A.A.U.S. In order to make the R.A.A.U.S., self-supporting members pay an annual fee of £1. Membership of the Royal Artillery As¬sociation is also obligatory, the annual fee being 3/-. Employers are asked to repay the Royal Artillery Association for the cost of the uniform and for maintenance at a minimum rate of 7/6 per week. Employers electing to do so are billed quarterly in arrears. There are no other charges to the man and no fees charged to his employer.

WAGE

The wage given is an agreement between the man and his employer, but no man is sent for any full time job if the wage offered is considered inadequate.

CONTROL

The R.A.A.U.S., is controlled by the Em¬ployment Officer who by visits, maintains contact with each member and his employer, and by so doing, has knowledge of the capa¬bilities of the man and the requirement of the employer when a replacement is required. Visits also give the Employment Officer the opportunity of checking the turnout and smartness of members.

PART-TIME SERVICE.

The R.A.A.U.S., can assist employers on special occasions such as receptions, con¬ferences and other functions by arranging the attendance of their members as doormen, receptionists etc.


UNIFORM

The uniform consists of a dark blue jacket, trousers and cap. The jacket is of the Number 1 Dress or Blue Patrol style with a stand collar edged round the base with red gimp, plain shoulder straps, two pleated patch pockets with pointed flaps on the breast, pointed cuffs and fastened with five buttons down the front. The buttons on the pocket flaps and shoulder straps are plain and those on the front are Ball with the gun only (brass or anodised aluminium). Badges of rank are worn on the right sleeve in gold on red, the shoulder title consist of the letters R A A in brass mounted on a top and bottom brass bar, the individual members number is worn on the collar made in a similar way to the titles. The trousers are plain dark blue worn with black shoes or boots. The cap is dark blue piped red round the top with a leather peak and a chin strap held on with two small plain buttons, the normal Royal Regiment of Artillery gun cap badge is worn on the front. A white top cover was some times worn in hot weather or a cap with a complete white top. A black leather shoulder belt and pouch worn over the left shoulder has a large brass badge on the front consisting of a single gun in the centre of a strap inscribed ROYAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION below a scroll inscribed UBIQUE surmounted by a King's Crown, the pouch has a single gun on the flap. The peak and strap on the cap and the shoulder belt and pouch may also be of patent leather. Ribbons of those medals awarded to the individual were worn over the left breast pocket in the accepted manner. White gloves may also be worn.
During the 1970's the uniform jacket was changed to one that was similar to the Army Number 2 Dress, open necked and worn with a white shirt and black tie. The numbers on the collar were replaced by a wire embroidered RA monogram, and the shoulder belt and pouch were discontinued.

Last edited by 54Bty; 09-02-22 at 05:27 PM.
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  #2  
Old 03-01-08, 07:04 PM
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The badges and other items.

Personal number.
Shoulder title.
Pouch.
Ball button.
RA Monogram collar badge.

Last edited by 54Bty; 09-02-22 at 05:27 PM.
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Old 03-01-08, 10:04 PM
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A few long pondered questions, all answered in one go !
Brilliant !

Great info,etc. on a very fine ex-serviceman's organisation.

Cheers !
Steve
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Old 11-07-08, 06:15 AM
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I am aware that this organisation no longer exists, does anyone know when it was disbanded?

Cheers

Phil
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  #5  
Old 14-05-10, 12:06 PM
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Continuing to look into the Uniform of the RAAUS and have discovered that when they were first established as the 'Uniformed Men' and later 'Uniformed Attendants' under the control of the Royal Artillery War Commemoration Fund the badge in the cap went from the individuals roll number to an OVAL BADGE. This information has been found in 'The Gunner' published in the 1930's, but the pictures are not clear enough to see what the OVAL BADGE is.

So does anyone know what it looks like, or have an oval Artillery looking badge that remains unidentified?
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  #6  
Old 14-05-10, 05:11 PM
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very interesting

below my board of sweat heart of ROYAL ARTILLERY and R.AA

perhaps the second picture can help ? it seem that the badge is on the gentleman of your fist picture .

sorry for the bad quality of the pictures , the glass of the board dont help me !

regards
Attached Images
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File Type: jpg DSC09401.JPG (50.2 KB, 34 views)

Last edited by jeanpit-frenchy; 14-05-10 at 05:23 PM.
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  #7  
Old 14-05-10, 05:41 PM
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Thank you for the images, the large badge in the second picture is the one worn on the front of the shoulder belt. So far I have not found one small enough to fit a cap.

Merci des images, le grand insigne dans la deuxième image est celle usée sur l'avant de la ceinture d'épaule. Jusqu'ici je n'ai pas trouvé un assez petit pour adapter un chapeau.

Windows translation.
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  #8  
Old 21-05-10, 11:55 AM
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Default R A A member card

the menbership card of Stephen HARDING , new member of ROYAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION in 1936 , captain at the end of 2sd word war
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File Type: jpg DSC09405.JPG (72.8 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg DSC09403.JPG (67.0 KB, 13 views)

Last edited by jeanpit-frenchy; 21-05-10 at 06:46 PM.
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Old 08-11-10, 08:07 PM
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Default RAA Uniformed Staff

Marc,

I dug out my Australian pieces over the weekend. Amongst them are two 'RAA' titles that I bought in Australia. Their size is 49mm longest length x 12mm hieght. They appear identical to your Association photos.
Were the same titles used by the Royal Australian Artillery as well.? Cossum indicates the RAA was Australian Arty.

Thanks, Stephen.
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Old 08-11-10, 10:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badjez View Post
Marc,

I dug out my Australian pieces over the weekend. Amongst them are two 'RAA' titles that I bought in Australia. Their size is 49mm longest length x 12mm hieght. They appear identical to your Association photos.
Were the same titles used by the Royal Australian Artillery as well.? Cossum indicates the RAA was Australian Arty.

Thanks, Stephen.
Sorry I am not sure what the Austrailians wore, the RA Asso ones are three single letters mounted on two brass bars with lugs on the back.

Marc
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  #11  
Old 08-05-18, 04:40 AM
kingsley kingsley is offline
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Many thanks to everyone for questions answered in a most interesting lot of information and pictures.
I have two different sizes of RAA (association) titles with the brass strips which I will now be moving on after many years, keeping the Australian ones in brass and oxid that were all struck in one piece.
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