RND book info.....

[dragonz18]

Have been doing some reading of books on the RND. Fascinating reading indeed!
Older books.... 'The Royal Naval Division' by Douglas Jerrold 1923
'The Hawke Battalion' Special edition for members of the RND Officer's Assoc. by Douglas Jerrold 1925
D.Jerrold was an Officer in the Hawke Batn. from 1914 till war's end.
From these ..... Naval uniforms exchanged for Army uniforms in Dec.1914
Collingwood & Benbow Batns. disbanded after June 4th battles ,in Gallipoli
Howe & Nelson Batns. disbanded late Feb.1918

Newer books...."Bernard Freyberg VC, Soldier of two Nations" by his son Paul Freyberg ( Ex Grenedier Guards & LRDG) 1991
"The Hood Battalion, RND: Antwerp,Gallipoli & France 1914-18" by Leonard Sellers 1995
Pics in the last of these show.... Navy Blues with 'Royal Naval Division' tally,
New khaki uniform with 'Hood' tally on a Khaki Naval hat, Able seaman with curved 'RND' title above the Hood badge on peaked cap ??? ( & possibly 2 titles on shoulder straps?) & another wearing straight "RND" over curved "Hood" title on shoulder straps ????? A later pic of the band shows some with a single title & at least one still with 2 titles on the strap.
Anyhow ,all well worth an informative read, if you get a chance !!

Cheers !
Steve

[dragonz18]

Further note.....
from 'The Hood Battalion' book........After a Divisional inspection by General Shute on 3rd November 1916, the Hood Batn. (presume also the other Batns at same time) were presented with Cap badges ,for the first time !! This was at a time when it was being 'attempted' to change the RND from using basically Naval traditions,etc to the Army's ones, in line with the rest of Army in France. But eventually not found to be successful though !
Nice to know the date of the badge issue here.
Cheers !
Steve