RAOC with regimental number

[turntostone]

Hi,

Last weekend I purchased a RAOC 1918 pattern OR cap badge
which has, what appears, to be a regimental number on the slider.

Number is 7599435.

Does any one know if it is possible to find out any info.
on the wearer from this number. I an guessing WW2 period.

Thanks
Gordon

[Unknownsoldier]

Nothing on the WW1 medal rolls. So yeah sounds post war to me.

Tom

[Mike_2817]

There were 3 old numbering systems in use prior to 1950.

First, prior to 1920 each regiment had its own system of regimental numbers (each starting at 1). If a soldier transferred to another regiment he got a new number.

The second system was introduced in 1920 under Army Order 388 with each regiment allocated its own block of numbers:

Under this 2nd block of 7 & low 8 digit numbers the RAOC were allocated:

7574001 - 7657000 and 10530001 - 10600000.


The third system was introduced during WW2.
These 8 digit numbers were allocated in blocks in the 14xxxxxx, 16xxxxxx and 19xxxxxx series.
It was this process that was rationalised into the 1950-2007 numbering system


Ref http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Army_number

So with a 1918 Pattern RAOC Badge which only started to be issued in 1919 and a low Block 2 Number it is safe to say its from the 1920's but nothing further than that.

[turntostone]

Thanks Mike,

If a soldier served in WW1 would he have been given a
new number under this system or still used his old one?
i.e would he be newly joined in 1920s.

Thanks
Gordon

[Mike_2817]

He could indeed have been a WWI Veteran! There is no way of knowing unless you try and access his records at the PRO

I think all who remained after the WWI demobs were allocated new numbers as they were in 1939 so it is possible for someone to have more than one number.

Many fit AOC men were transfered into the Infantry during WWI and other arms into the AOC so multiple numbers under the 1st system were also common.

I have a 1918 Pattern Badged Bed Plate from Hilsea with a 1920 Series Number and Name, and this was given to me by the family along with a copy of RAOC Standing Orders of 1929 printed with amendment 1 & amendment 2 dated 1932 when he was commissioned. He transfered into the REME in 1942 as an Armourer/Gun Fitter Officer.

Plate is marked

7597667
BIRT.L.