Proficiency Mystery? or Something else?

[Mike B]

I wonder if any of our badge experts can help confirm or suggest what this badge is please. Is it proficiency? It does not appear to be in Edwards and Langley - but perhaps is not even military

Any thoughts sincerely appreciated

[conservator]

Mike,
I think this badge relates to St John Ambulance Brigade and is WWI vintage.
I have, and have seen, versions of this, generally with a single letter below the wheels; the letters seen are N, X and M (and I think I've seen an 'S')which I think represent Nurse, X-Ray and Masseur, though this is purely speculation. I have the 'N' version in both white thread and silver bullion, in keeping with SJAB cloth badges of the time.
My feeling is that due to the variety, these were used by staff on hospital trains rather than on ambulances, as different carriages could have been used for different functions. This is, so far, without any documentary evidence though.
George

[Home Guard]

George, Very interesting info you've shared - Thanks! A locomotive could possibly explain the double wheels???

Any chance you would share a picture of the SJA Nurses patch?

Terry

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by conservator

Mike,
I think this badge relates to St John Ambulance Brigade and is WWI vintage.
I have, and have seen, versions of this, generally with a single letter below the wheels; the letters seen are N, X and M (and I think I've seen an 'S')which I think represent Nurse, X-Ray and Masseur, though this is purely speculation. I have the 'N' version in both white thread and silver bullion, in keeping with SJAB cloth badges of the time.
My feeling is that due to the variety, these were used by staff on hospital trains rather than on ambulances, as different carriages could have been used for different functions. This is, so far, without any documentary evidence though.
George

Apologies for my delayed response - very many thanks for your very helpful and informative reply. I think the colour scheme is entirely consistent with your thoughts.
Many thanks
Mike

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Home Guard

George, Very interesting info you've shared - Thanks! A locomotive could possibly explain the double wheels???

Any chance you would share a picture of the SJA Nurses patch?

Terry

Hello Terry - thanks for your interest in this thread
Mike

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by conservator

the letters seen are N, X and M (and I think I've seen an 'S')which I think represent Nurse, X-Ray and Masseur, though this is purely speculation.

Could there be a VAD connection ?

Talented VADs could take specialist classes to become a masseuse or use an x-ray machine.

I have seen reports of "visiting" masseurs and of "mobile" x-ray units :

There were six mobile X-ray units serving in the British Expeditionary Force [BEF] and these were sent to assist the CCS’s during the great battles.

Is it possible that these 'qualification' badges are for "specialist" staff who were not home/hospital based but could work on mobile units or trains etc ?

In the early days of the war there was a Red Cross train and No.16 Ambulance Train was staffed by the Friends Ambulance Unit.

.

[mike_vee]

Found another possible VAD connection :

Technical badges – issued to medical officers, pharmacists, trained nurses

So perhaps the 'M' indicated Medical Officer rather than Masseur ?

.

[mike_vee]

The British Red Cross Society Technical badges were instituted in 1914 and were eligible to members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments with professional qualifications.

These technical 'badges' appear to be the BRCS medallions with the appropriate 'bar' , Medical Officer/Trained Nurse/Radiographer(x-ray) etc.

As these would not really be suitable/appropriate to wear in frontline/mobile areas etc the cloth badges may have been produced ?

.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by mike_vee

These technical 'badges' appear to be the BRCS medallions with the appropriate 'bar' , Medical Officer/Trained Nurse/Radiographer(x-ray) etc.

As these would not really be suitable/appropriate to wear in frontline/mobile areas etc the cloth badges may have been produced ?

.

Thanks Mike for your contribution ... always appreciated