VAD Badge

[JIMBODIXON]

Hi All,
A recent find. This much I know - Volunteer Aid Detachment sleeve or collar badge from WW2? Can anyone tell me what the "6" represents? Made by Stokes so assume Aussie. Any help would be appreciated.
Jim

[fairlie63]

I believe this is Tasmania, or 6th Military District as it was prior to April 1942. 3/VAD also exists, for Victoria or 3MD. All the VADs were numbered according to Military District, i.e., those in Tasmania were numbered in the block 600-617, 1MD (Queensland) was numbered 100-170, etc.

[JIMBODIXON]

Many thanks for that Keith. I have never seen another - are they common?
Regards
Jim

[fairlie63]

Hi Jim

I think the 3/ and 6/VAD were about when I collected them, not in great numbers but not scarce either. I have a vague idea that a couple of the VADs wore their own numbers too, I'm sure I'd have notes somewhere.

[lettman]

Originally Posted by JIMBODIXON

Many thanks for that Keith. I have never seen another - are they common?
Regards
Jim

I have one of these and was told when I bought it that it was for 6MD. Perhaps those for the other MDs are rarer?

[JIMBODIXON]

Has anyone pics of other MD examples that we could see?
Jim

[fairlie63]

Hi Jim,

Down the bottom for 3/VAD, 6/VAD, and VAD/AUSTRALIA.

I have a small book titled Tasmania's War Effort and published about 1946, which has a photo of the first Tasmanian VADs to be posted overseas. Newsprint type photo so impossible to magnify but they appear to be wearing the VAD/AUSTRALIA title.

Keith

[JIMBODIXON]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

Hi Jim,

Down the bottom for 3/VAD, 6/VAD, and VAD/AUSTRALIA.

I have a small book titled Tasmania's War Effort and published about 1946, which has a photo of the first Tasmanian VADs to be posted overseas. Newsprint type photo so impossible to magnify but they appear to be wearing the VAD/AUSTRALIA title.

Keith

Nice collection Keith! Am I right in thinking that 3 md & 6 md were the only MD badges produced.
regards
Jim

[kingsley]

The 3 and 6 are the only ones I have ever seen. There is another type of title, I think worn on the front of the uniform instead of the epaulette, which is VAD with a small round numbered disc below. Will see If I can find a scan.

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by JIMBODIXON

Nice collection Keith! Am I right in thinking that 3 md & 6 md were the only MD badges produced.
regards
Jim

It appears to be the case Jim, I've never seen any other numbers. At least one and possibly two wore their unit number on the shoulder straps but I can't locate my notes in that respect.

Just had another look, they were 404/VAD and 411/VAD, both South Australian VADs. Because 3MD, 4MD and 6MD were all part of Southern Command until early 1942 they might have conformed in some aspects of dress.

[kingsley]

Here are a few scans as requested. The enamel lapel badges are Commonwealth, 3MD and Eastern Cmd, have seen others. These three are the only ones I have. The WM number 217 came with the badge, also have 810. Also have a VAD/ 58 in a small circle similar to the VAD/217.

[fairlie63]

Nice lot Kingsley.

[kingsley]

Maybe WW1 VAD? I don't have this enam badge but have one in brass. It looks similar to the WWI medium sized AAMC badge. It doesn't look like a fundraiser.