Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy
What are the "mounted antecedents" of the R Sigs please?
They are descended from the RE.
Some of the RE were indeed mounted, many were not. As witness both "trumpeters" and "buglers" authorised for RE. Then again, RE had "companies".
Truth to tell the R Sigs can reasonably claim foot and horse ancestry, surely?
However, I for one am not at all relaxed about the scarlet sash being permitted beyond the infantry, as it certainly bucks tradition.
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It's a good question, my belief is that it was because the RE Signal Service was designated 'Mounted' - however at the moment I can't find a reference to confirm that.
The following may be of interest, though;
This is from the MOD Army site regarding the Royal Signals Corps Band
Quote:
One point on which everyone was in agreement was that the Band should follow the cavalry pattern as the Corps was officially still classed as a mounted outfit. In 1926 the dress for the band was approved by the Corps Committee as:
•Hussar busby with black bag and red plume, ornated by a large gilt Signals badge, underlined by 'Certa Cito'
•Scarlet tunic, black piping, black cuffs, edged with gold braid, with chevrons also in gold braid
•A black webbing waist girdle
•Black arguillettes, worn from the left shoulder
•Overalls, blue, with broad red stripe
•Wellington dress boots, with swan necked spurs affixed
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Busby, Girdle, broad overalls stripe and spurs all indicate mounted origins