Army Fire Service cloth title

[Postwarden]

The title shown in the attached image has been attributed to the Army Fire Service which in the postwar period was run by the RASC.

The excellent book The Empire's Waggoners says it belongs to the postwar service but admits that there is some doubt.

Can anyone provide further information that proves it is definitely the RASC-run service's title and not that worn by for example a Commonwealth army's service?

All help appreciated.

Jon

[Mike Jackson]

Jon,
That's a very strange title - both colour and lettering. The letters VI of SERVICE are distinctly taller than their neighbours - almost as if someone setting up the machine selected the numeral Roman 6 in a different font? Poor quality control if so. IWM Image B8120 shows an excellently marked Bedford QL Fire Tender in Normandy - 104 Fire Fighting Company, Army Fire Service. On the subject of the AFS, are you an expert on those red numerals w/serifs on navy/black printed lozenges attributed to the AFS but often confused with 3 Div RA Regts? Mike

[badjez]

Jon,

I cannot see them listed in the post-war Ordnance List of Changes, either as a new item being introduced, or as an obsolete item. That said, the Army Fire Service did recruit civilian firemen in Belgium post-war, and I believe they had their own buttons etc, so these titles might be connected to the British Liberation Army somewhere along the line.

The Army Fire Service were civilianised in August 1958 and adopted civilian brigade type uniforms and rank insignia.

Stephen.

[sapper533]

I was surprised when I saw this badge in the aforementioned book, as I had never seen it attributed to the British Army. I did however pick up a couple quite easily and cheaply from Canada.
Maybe this is a question for our Canadian brethren?
Cheers
Sean

[sapper533]

Just found this
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/can...eas/index2.htm

[Postwarden]

Thanks to all. That confirmed my suspicions that it was in fact not British.

Where would we be without the Forum.

I'll check out Mike's query on the NFS column numbers and post when I have.

Jon