Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Stewart
Attachment 51276
What may be unknown among the badge collecting fraternity is that there were three phases to all of this;- pre-VTC, which was the formation of ad-hoc units under varying titles throughout the UK, with no central administration; The VTC, which brought all of those units together under the "Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps", but with no official recognition; post-VTC, which saw official recognition by the War Office in 1916 and the formation of the Volunteer Force and the new Volunteer Regiments.
Attached is a photo of an Athletes V.F. unit, the senior officers wearing the ovel badge in white enamel. Blue enamanel was the most common colour and there was also a red enamel version. The AVF in general was absorbed into the VTC and I do have a copy of it's formation taken from one of our local newspapers, which included the formation of units in several counties from all types of "Athlete".
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Thanks for this Graham, very interesting. I think it has been said before; a sadly under researched area, with scant published information.
I've often considered collecting to this area, but it's way out of range for now, and a vast and time consuming area. In the meantime I'll satisfy my growing curiosity with what crops up on here, and stick to reading what's available
That said, I couldn't resist having a go at two Bosleys items in the last sale to Leeds and Harrogate. Too close to home to leave alone..... I had heard of the Leeds Unit, but not the Harrogate one.
Best, Neil