BRCS

[Terry Rayner]

Hello Troops, did any of the BRCS have any affiliation with army regiments, or did they operate independently of the army?
Regards Terry

[Home Guard]

Terry, My understanding is that both the BRCS and the SJA provided service to the army and the navy via the VAD. That said, however, I cannot say for certain that they did not also work directly with the army, I am just not aware of it.

Terry

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Terry Rayner

Hello Troops, did any of the BRCS have any affiliation with army regiments, or did they operate independently of the army?
Regards Terry

Together with the St John Ambulance of Jerusalem, they operated as auxiliaries in support of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, under arrangements coordinated by the Voluntary Aid Detachment “Joint Committee”, an organisation that had agreed to continue in existence for the duration of hostilities.

Nevertheless, they remained independent of the Army as they were a civilian voluntary institution reliant upon individuals who had the freedom to resign whenever they so wished, unlike members of the Army who were under a binding contract underpinned by statute.

However, this did include some men of both categories (BRCS and SJAOJ) who volunteered to serve as civilian volunteers in Army uniform (service dress), but with their own discrete insignia, in specific roles within field hospitals. They were in effect operating as auxiliary medical orderlies and working alongside their counterparts in the Royal Army Medical Corps. They were especially to be seen stretcher bearing and assisting with transfers on to to hospital trains and barges as part of the evacuation chain.

For details see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4497454/

[magpie]

May be of interest to you.

[Home Guard]

There are two versions of the Kent VAD badge, one is TF as shown and the other is just T, which is slightly different.


Here is the "T" version

VAD Hat 1 b.jpg

A few other counties also issued their own VAD badges.

DSCF4373.jpg


Terry

[BROOKIES]

Maybe of interest.

Ta

Jonathan

Scan_20230728 (7).jpg

WH.png

[Milmed]

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

Together with the St John Ambulance of Jerusalem, they operated as auxiliaries in support of Queen Mary’s Imperial Military Nursing Service,

That should read 'Queen Alexander's Imperial Military Nursing Service'

[Terry Rayner]

Many thanks lads, you all have been a great help.
Regards Terry

[Home Guard]

Milemed, Thanks for catching that! Yep, my error, must have had the RAF on my mind as I was typing it. Hope the QA's will not hold it against me!!!

Terry

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Milmed

That should read 'Queen Alexander's Imperial Military Nursing Service'

Yes, you’re right of course, it was the WAAC associated with Queen Mary. Thank you. I will edit.