Who wore/wears the G.S. ( Royal Arms ) cap badge ?

[Peter Brydon]

This question has been brought about by a couple of recent threads here on the Forum.

There is reference to the badge in the MHS Bulletin article "Cap Badges of the First World War " by Julian Bowsher and David Linaker ( Bulletin 262 of November 2015 ) which mentions:


General List, Badge, cap, GM with vertical shank. Pattern 9360/1917 sealed 9/2/17. The badge was also to be worn by The General Service Corps,The Labour Corps and the South African Labour Corps ( British Ranks ).


To the above can be added WW1 Volunteer Force and Inland Waterway Transport.

Are there any other units ?

P.B.

[Mike_2817]

I seem to remember reading about GS buttons being used as badges in 'Training Reserve Battalions' Due to shortages of GS Badges? or just common practice I do not know? Soldiers being re-badged on drafts when assigned to Regiments.

Added link to TR which says the button was worn on a red felt backing



http://www.1914-1918.net/training_reserve.htm

[David Tremain]

I've seen a number of photos in books about WW2 intelligence where those who were not in the Intelligence Corps wore the GSC cap badge. It seems to have been a catch-all for those who weren't already assigned to a regiment or corps.

David

[Mercian]

The Cheshire Volunteer battalions wore the Royal Coat of Arms amongst other badges. On 2nd October 1916 they replaced their leather buttons with the Royal Arms and 10th October 1916 they adopted the a brass Royal Arms badge issued by the War Office. On 31st January 1918 the Cheshire Regiment cap badge was authorized.

[Peter Brydon]

There is a book on the WW1 Cheshire Volunteers who were based in Chester, I am afraid I cannot remember the title or author ( Author might have been called Simpson ) and in the book it says when the Cheshire Regiment cap badge was authorised for the Volunteers, the unit was able to get hold of bi metal Cheshire Regiment cap badges which upset all the other Cheshire Regiment troops in Chester who were wearing the all brass economy versions.

P.B.

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by David Tremain

I've seen a number of photos in books about WW2 intelligence where those who were not in the Intelligence Corps wore the GSC cap badge. It seems to have been a catch-all for those who weren't already assigned to a regiment or corps.

David

I have an OSD cap with WWII economy plastic GS badge and GS buttons on it and it was suggested by the seller that it might have been used by a member of SOE and I remember reading that in some cases they did wear it to disguise their actual unit. Obviously without proof in the case of the cap I have, its a nice story and the purchase price did not reflect any firm links to SOE, it was merely mentioned in passing, but does show that such information is "common" knowledge.

[Mercian]

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

There is a book on the WW1 Cheshire Volunteers who were based in Chester, I am afraid I cannot remember the title or author ( Author might have been called Simpson ) and in the book it says when the Cheshire Regiment cap badge was authorised for the Volunteers, the unit was able to get hold of bi metal Cheshire Regiment cap badges which upset all the other Cheshire Regiment troops in Chester who were wearing the all brass economy versions.

P.B.

It' Frank Simpson that's where it got the info from.

[Mike_2817]

Officers did wear the GS Cap Badge in WWII while on the 'General List of Officers' and were not badged to any regiment or corps except in some cases the General Service Corps.

Certainly in WWII a fair number of SOE photos show men wearing GS badges as the male answer to FANY as a way of putting people into some form of armed service uniform without too many questions being asked. They probably never belonged to an established regiment or corps.

Even today there is a pool of specialist officers on the 'General List of Officers' in the Army Reserve

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Even today there is a pool of specialist officers on the 'General List of Officers' in the Army Reserve

That's correct Mike,
I'm sure phase 1 recruits wear it now. Gold new metal with slider ,previously found in gold anodised with slider.

[Mike_2817]

Yes 'Phase One' Recruits do now wear the GS Badge in a dark blue beret for the first 6 weeks or so, until they pass the drill test and re-badge to their given regiment or corps.

This I believe is common to all ATR's

Week 6 - https://britisharmy.wordpress.com/20...fore-hometime/

Note: The 'Army Foundation Collage' for 'Junior Soldiers' wear their own badge for the first term, then re-badge as above.

[BROOKIES]

Following the thread here's an oddity to the normal GS badge, hopefully someone may be able to id it.

Jonathan

DSC00568.jpgDSC00571.jpg

[badjez]

Here is some more info-
Stephen.

00.10.14. AO 393: Officers granted temporary commissions but not posted to a Regt, Corps or Department for duty, were to wear infantry pattern Service Dress with the following insignia:
Cap badge- The Royal Arms.
Collar badges- The Royal Arms.
Buttons- Universal pattern bearing the Royal Arms.

10.10.16. AO1936/16 & ACI 1936:
‘Volunteer Force Order No XX. Badges of rank, cap badge, and shoulder titles.
1. The badges of rank to be worn by officers and other ranks of the Volunteer Force will be the same as those approved for the Regular Army.
2. The cap badge to be worn by Volunteer Officers and Volunteers will be the Royal Arms. Officers will wear a ‘V’ in place of the collar badge.
3. The shoulder title will consist of the Lieutenancy in which the Corps is raised, surmounted by a ‘V’, thus: V/KENT. No numeral or other distinction will be added. The badges will be woven and not made of metal.

13.02.42. Royal Warrant signed, authorising formation of General Service Corps.

04.03.42. ACI 475: Formation of General Service Corps was authorised by Royal Warrant dated 13.02.42. promulgated by AO 19 of 1942.
Cap badge to be The Royal Arms. The General Service Corps badge was a catch-all for those who had no other unit to join (i.e. Intelligence prior to formation of Intelligence Corps), or who were not to be badged to their Corps until they had been trained.

The initial contract for plastic 'Royal Arms' badges had been placed with A Stanley on 09.07.42.

There was an alternative General Service Corps badge:
02.08.44. ACI 1064: Cap badge approved for wear by Training Battalions, GSC.
Upon a pair of crossed swords, the Royal Crest. Beneath the crest, the Rose, Thistle, Leek and Shamrock, with motto ‘Deus Vult’. In GM. (CB 2230, Badges, cap, Training Battalion, GSC)
To be taken into wear at the beginning of infantry corps training at training battalions, and retained for the duration of such training. On issue of the training battalion badge, the GSC badge was to be withdrawn. Upon completion of training the badge was to be withdrawn and replaced by that of the corps to which the recruit was transferred.
‘Training Battalion’ referred to GSC units containing certain volunteers under the age of 18 years on enlistment and other selected GSC personnel selected for infantry training. This ACI was cancelled 20.06.51.

30.08.47. ACI 719: To encourage recruiting for the Regular Army, immediately on enlistment Regular Army recruits will be issued the cap badge and titles of the corps or regiment in which they have elected to serve, in lieu of the GSC badge and titles issued to those called up for National Service. This ACI cancelled by ACI 741 of 1947 so it was not in force long.

14.12.56. At the 95th Meeting of the WODC, the Committee decided to approve D&E for Officers of the General List:
Existing pattern of gilt cap badge to be worn on all authorised headdress.
An embroidered Arm Title ‘GENERAL LIST’ in white letters on a scarlet background.
A blue lanyard to wear with SD & BD.

23.01.74. At the 219th Meeting of the ADC, the Committee decided to approve Orders of Dress for officers of the General List (excluding University Cadets who would wear the Dress of the Regt or Corps to which posted).
No1 Dress.
Forage cap badge of Royal Arms in gilt.
Jacket collar badges as cap badge but half size.
No2 Dress.
SD Cap badge of Royal Arms in bronze.
Jacket collar badges as SD cap badge but half size.
No3 Dress- badges & buttons as No1 Dress.
No4 Dress- badges & buttons as No2 Dress.
No6 Dress- badges & buttons as No2 Dress. No metal shoulder titles.
No7 Dress- badges & buttons as No2 Dress.
No10 (Mess) Dress badges & buttons as No1 Dress.
No11 Dress- badges & buttons as No1 Dress.
Coloured Side hat- Blue cloth with scarlet cloth tip. Scarlet welts on cap and flaps, and front & back seams. No badge mentioned.
Beret- blue with Royal Arms badge in gilt.


Other ranks of RMP also wore the GS badge until they had completed their initial training as they didn't was new recruits being mistaken for MP's.

[Peter Brydon]

Mercian,

Looking again at the officer on the right hand side of the pictures you posted, as well as the GS cap badge, he seems to be wearing, what is described in the picture of badges, as 5) Officers cap badge, as collar badges with "V"s below.

Am I right ?

Regards

Peter

[sketchley kid]

Many of the 'conscript' training regiments wore the plastic badge in WW2 and later.......I have an Officers one in bronze with blades.

[Rob Miller]

Originally Posted by BROOKIES

Following the thread here's an oddity to the normal GS badge, hopefully someone may be able to id it.

Jonathan

Attachment 139593Attachment 139594

Hi Jonathan

That reminds me of this button, which was never properly identified.

Rob

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=21055