Royal Australian Artillery., 1903-1911

[barneywomble]

A great photo of WO2 F. A. Schmidt wearing the hat/cap and collar badges of the Royal Australian Artillery (Permanent / Regular) circa 1903-1911 (Edward VII).

[fairlie63]

Nice photo.

Schmidt was never RAA. He was ex- RFA before joining the Instructional Staff in Australia as a Staff Sergeant-Major.

Was BSM 3rd Battery, 1st Aust FA Brigade of the AIF in 1914, later WO (I) and the RSM of 10th FA Brigade AIF. After discharge in 1919 he rejoined (was taken back on strength) the Instructional Staff as WO2, becoming WO1 in the Australian Instructional Corps in 1923.

So the assumption must be that because he was posted to Artillery (field) he adopted the badges of the Royal Australian Artillery, perhaps the badges of the Instructional Staff were no longer issued or available.

This photo must be dated between 1919 and 1921 when the RAA grenade was replaced by the RAA cypher, and soon afterwards by the Commonwealth Pattern GS badge, the 'rising sun'. He appears to have polished the cypher of King Edward VII off the ball of the grenade.

Keith

[barneywomble]

Hi Keith, thanks for the added info. The high res pic does show more of the RAA Hat badge. Cheers Marc