G.R. Brassard

Would anyone happen to have an example of a red 'G R' brassard/armband, they'd be willing to post please?:

GR Brassard Photo.jpg
GR Brassard.jpg

Am I correct in saying that 'G R' stood for 'Government Recognition'?

With thanks,

Peter.

[Alan O]

George Rex - King George. Worn by WW1 VTC members. Colloquially refered to a Gorgeous Wrecks (sic) on account of many VTC members' advanced years.

[Rob Miller]

Hi Peter

Heres mine, its 4 1/2" wide, 17" long, the buckle is marked "PARIS" and inside it says "F.A.TAYLOR. Reg L No.607".

Rob

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Hi Peter

Heres mine, its 4 1/2" wide, 17" long, the buckle is marked "PARIS" and inside it says "F.A.TAYLOR. Reg L No.607".

Rob

Rob,

Thanks for that; very much appreciated mate.

---------------------------------------------------------

Alan,

Strangely enough, here is an article I found in a VTC magazine of Jan 1916:

GR Article.jpg

Peter

[norfolk regt man]

hi, its one is known to be worn by a norfolk man.

aswell as the green one.

Originally Posted by norfolk regt man

hi, its one is known to be worn by a norfolk man.

aswell as the green one.

Thanks Andy. Good to see those too, mate.

Peter.

[Graham Stewart]

Originally Posted by norfolk regt man

hi, its one is known to be worn by a norfolk man.

aswell as the green one.

Red for 'VTC' - the other is for the 'Volunteer Force' post War Office recognition in 1916. A third arm band, which is exactly the same as that worn by the V.F., but the crown only was worn by those members of the Derby Scheme

Derby Scheme.jpgVTC.JPG
Derby Scheme armband being worn in civvies and a post card skit on the VTC.

Originally Posted by Graham Stewart

Red for 'VTC' - the other is for the 'Volunteer Force' post War Office recognition in 1916. A third arm band, which is exactly the same as that worn by the V.F., but the crown only was worn by those members of the Derby Scheme

Attachment 76499Attachment 76500
Derby Scheme armband being worn in civvies and a post card skit on the VTC.

Thanks Graham,

So would you happen to know if the 'G R' did in fact stand for 'Government Recognition' ?

[grumpy]

No, it stood for Georgius Rex ........ good King George V.

And rum jars SRD were not "seldom reaches destination", either.

Originally Posted by grumpy

No, it stood for Georgius Rex ........ good King George V.

And rum jars SRD were not "seldom reaches destination", either.

Thank you.

[Graham Stewart]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Thanks Graham,

So would you happen to know if the 'G R' did in fact stand for 'Government Recognition' ?

Not as far as I'm aware - no mention of it in any of the VTC Regulations I've read or any other documents. As it stood there was infact no 'official' recognition in the true sense, by either the Government or War Office until 1916, which was a long running bone of contention within the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps. The C.A.V.T.C. became a 'recognised' body of those Corps that were formed and absorbed into the C.A.V.T.C., but they were not to be equipped or clothed as a 'body' of the Army. Military ranks were not to be used and so on and rules were drawn up to prevent any misconception that they were indeed part of the 'Home Army', although they were expected to work alongside the National Reserve.

This was simply a matter of "where needs must" and in this case both the Government and War Office had too much to contend with, especially with the formation and equipping of the New Armies/Locally Raised units to be bothered with well meaning amateurs forming 'ad hoc' units up and down the country that could be neither uniformed or equipped out of Government funds, with no centralized form of command.

Once recognition in the true sense came, the C.A.V.T.C. was totally overhauled and became known as the 'Volunteer Force' with an 'oath of alliegence' sworn, something not previously undertaken by the V.T.C. and they did indeed become part of the 'Home Army'. They were subsequently clothed and equipped from Central Funds, allowed to wear khaki and the use of Army ranks.

In reality they were infact the 'Home Guard' of WWI and those who served in the later LDV at the beginning of WWII, would probably recognise exactly what they went through to recieve 'official' recognition.

[Alan O]

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/c...aining-corps-1

This is worth a read to understand the 1916 changes.

VTC regulations mandated that individuals name and number were to be written on the reverse. If the individual left it was also mandated that the brassard was to be burnt.

My Lord,—It having been represented that there conditions
is some doubt as to the object of the Brassard scaring
let with the letters G.E. inscribed therein) which was
sanctioned for members of recognised Organisations of Army Council
Volunteer Forces, etc., by War Office letter, number as
above, of the 19th November, 1914, I am commanded by Number
the Army Council to inform you that this Brassard is 3604
authorised as a general indication that the Corps has
official sanction and as a mark of recognition of the individual
to whom it is issued. To prevent misuse by
transfer, the name of the individual should be indelibly
inscribed on it.
'' 1 am to add that the Council hold that the Brassard
should always be worn when any military exercises or
duties are being performed. Volunteer Associations
who have not affiliated to the Central Association are not
entitled to wear the Brassard.
I am. My Lord,
' Your Lordship's obedient servant,
''(Signed) B. B. Gubitt.

[grumpy]

please could you clarify:

Brassard scaring
let with the letters G.E. inscribed therein)

as above?

scarlet?

GR?