RMA Woolwich, RMC Sandhurst and RMA Sanhurst Buttons
 

In Ripley’s Buttons of the Regular Army 1855-2000, the buttons of the Royal Military Academy (Woolwich), VR and EVIIR, are illustrated at 548 and 549. Those of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst GVIR and EIIR are at 550 and 551 (with Mons Officer Cadet School at 552). See attached thumbnails 1 and 2.

The current Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, was founded in 1947 with the merger of two institutions: the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. As a button collector I was stumped as to why I could not find a GVR button to either RMA or RMC. Thumbnail 3.
I visited RMAS today and took the following photographs – I now know why for RMC. Thumbnail 4 - 7. Additionally, the band used to wear General Service buttons.

Does anyone know if Staff pattern buttons were worn at Woolwich during the same period?

I Hope this may be of use to others.

I am still looking for an EIIR brass button.

Chris

I have a forage cap bearing KGVI Staff pattern buttons but no cap badge.
Made by Hobson's of London and Camberley my suspicion is that it is a RMC cap.
It does however have a name of owner on its label, a far less than exhaustive online search has produced a Royal Artillery officer of that name serving during WWII, so perhaps RMA.

Hi Chris

I have been giving the RMA question some thought, is it possible they wore the Royal Artillery pattern, I do have a 17mm example marked R.M.A.

As to the RMC its a subject which has come up on here before.

Rob

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=71146

Rob,

thanks for the information and pointing out the link.

Chris

And for reminding me that I'd already posted on that thread.
During the reign of K GVI did RMC have numbered Companies, did RMA have numbered Companies (if it had "Companies') please?

Further exploration shows my man to have attended RMC (noted in December 1938 as being very weak and lacking in life, surly, unpopular, a very poor shot, lacking concentration at weapons training and drill, slow in absorbing instruction, arrived with a grievance against life - but if he concentrated on being a 1st class cadet he may make a good officer).
So my cap appears to be RMC, not RMA although he appears to be in the RA by 1941.

I bought this interesting 18.2mm domed button at the weekend, its a little hard to read but around the Crown it appears to say "ROY ' MIL COL. JUNR DEPT.", so early Sandhurst or possibly even Great Marlow?

Rob

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_...ege,_Sandhurst

Rob,

it's certainly early.

Chris