Padded Rose and Wreath - a Mystery?

[GregN]

Hi guys, I was at our monthly gun and militaria show and picked up this odd badge. It is padded and stitched to a mustard coloured backing. I'm pretty sure it isn't Canadian, is it British and what is it for?

Cheers,

Greg

[Tinto]

Hi Greg, See this thread:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ight=forewoman

Cheers, Tinto

[GregN]

That's fantastic Tinto but what is a FOREWOMAN?. Is this something to do with nursing?

Greg

[Tinto]

Hi Greg,
The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was formed in January 1917 and recruited the first women into the British Army to serve in a non-nursing capacity. The WAAC provided catering, storekeeping, vehicle maintenance and clerical duties for the British Army, freeing more men to take up combat roles. In 1918 Queen Mary became patron and the corps was renamed Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. Over 57,000 women enrolled in the WAAC/QMAAC during the First World War and though not given full military status, often worked close to the frontline. Three Military Medals were awarded to members for gallantry. The QMAAC was eventually disbanded in September 1921.

I should imagine Forewoman rank was the equivalent of Sergeant?

Cheers, Tinto

[GregN]

Wow, this is really amazing Tinto, so this rank badge dates to the end of WW1! I appreciate all the info you've given me!

Greg

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by GregN

That's fantastic Tinto but what is a FOREWOMAN?. Is this something to do with nursing?

Greg

It was the the equivalent of junior NCO (corporal). There is a good explanation of the QMAAC here: https://blogs.mhs.ox.ac.uk/innovatin...xiliary-corps/

Some great images of them over a range of numbered pages here: http://www.nam.ac.uk/exhibitions/onl...ions/waacs-war

A number of them (single women) remained in France after the armistice to assist with the massive job of the Graves Registration Commission and it's on-the-ground units.

There were several branches in the QMAAC and each had a colour designated. I seem to recall that the mustard yellow related to the cooks, but I will need to check to be sure.

[Mike_2817]

From a note I have (no source given) Women in the WAAC were divided into officials (officers) being controller or administrator, forewomen (sergeant), assistant forewomen (corporals) and workers (privates).

As clerks they worked within supply depots, hence my interest in the insignia, I have no idea of the different colour backings to badges.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

From a note I have (no source given) Women in the WAAC were divided into officials (officers) being controller or administrator, forewomen (sergeant), assistant forewomen (corporals) and workers (privates).

As clerks they worked within supply depots, hence my interest in the insignia, I have no idea of the different colour backings to badges.

Thanks for that Mike, I had not found any reference to assistant forewomen and it is not mentioned in the first link I posted above or the National Archives page on QMAAC, hence my taking forewoman as Corporal equivalent. 'Subordinate officials' are referred to and, if these are not Sergeants, then they must be the equivalent of warrant officers, which seemed an unlikely requirement to me. I would have thought that forewomen were corporals and assistant forewomen (perhaps non-substantive given that it is not mentioned in the links) lance corporals. However, this is all just conjecture on my part and I am unclear as to what the official line is. The equivalent of private was 'worker'.

[Mike_2817]

Found this list of abbreviations used on WWI medal cards

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...cards-rank.pdf

Which gives a wider range of 'ranks' which suggests to me that Forewomen were indeed 'Senior Ranks'

of interest are: (ranged in 'rank' order)

Other Ranks

WKR. Worker QMAAC
A-A. FWN. Acting Assistant Forewoman QMAAC
A. FWN. Assistant Forewoman QMAAC
A-FWN. Acting Forewoman QMAAC
FWN. Forewoman QMAAC

Officers

A-U. ADTR Assistant Under Administrator QMAAC
A. ADTR. Assistant Administrator QMAAC
D. ADTR. Deputy Administrator QMAAC
U-ADTR. Unit Administrator QMAAC
D. CTR. Deputy Controller QMAAC
CTR. Controller QMAAC
A.C. CTR. Assistant Chief Controller QMAAC
T.C. CTR. Temporary Chief Controller QMAAC
C. CTR. Chief Controller QMAAC

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Found this list of abbreviations used on WWI medal cards

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...cards-rank.pdf

Which gives a wider range of 'ranks' which suggests to me that Forewomen were indeed 'Senior Ranks'

of interest are: (ranged in 'rank' order)

Other Ranks

WKR. Worker QMAAC
A-A. FWN. Acting Assistant Forewoman QMAAC
A. FWN. Assistant Forewoman QMAAC
A-FWN. Acting Forewoman QMAAC
FWN. Forewoman QMAAC

Officers

A-U. ADTR Assistant Under Administrator QMAAC
A. ADTR. Assistant Administrator QMAAC
D. ADTR. Deputy Administrator QMAAC
U-ADTR. Unit Administrator QMAAC
D. CTR. Deputy Controller QMAAC
CTR. Controller QMAAC
A.C. CTR. Assistant Chief Controller QMAAC
T.C. CTR. Temporary Chief Controller QMAAC
C. CTR. Chief Controller QMAAC

That confirms it Mike. Thank you. Very interesting. Subordinate Official is not mentioned in your list, which is puzzling. There is a book on QMAAC Regulations available, it will be interesting to see if the ranks are listed within it.