Cadet Force Titles

[REME245]

Any suggestions on when these Cadet Force Titles were worn?

I am assuming 1950's and I have seen similar titles for the post-war Home Guard sown on to an american war-aid BD.

War-time versions seem to follow the then Home Guard pattern.

I am still looking for first pattern Wiltshire ACF Arm patches or any early other early items from this organisation.

[Postwarden]

Black on khaki Cadet Force titles were introduced for the ACF in January 1942 following the War Office's decision to expand the existing Cadet Force.

Initially the titles were printed like the one attached but embroidered versions were often worn by officers as they were could be bought from local shops. They were worn in conjunction with the slip-on shoulder title of the regiment to which the cadet unit was affiliated.

In November 1943 county or regimental flashes were authorised with Home Guard numerals worn beneath them to indicate the Cadet Bn as the second picture shows.

This style of title was abolished in 1951 when white on red ACF titles were introduced

This information comes from National Archives file WO32/9709 on ACF Dress

Postwarden

[REME245]

This pattern seem very common hence my comments on Home Guard insignia.
These are clearly blue rather than black ink.

So you are saying that my original posted titles could be any time up to 1953?

Would the mentioned National Archives File identify all the County Badges being worn at this time?

[Postwarden]

The evidence seems to suggest that up to 1953 is a good date but as we all know in this hobby nothing is certain.

Sadly the NA file does not identify the county badges.

Postwarden

[Old Smelly]

Is the county known for the flash on the BD in your second pic?
Lee

[Peter Brydon]

Great information,particularly about the slip on titles and Home Guard numerals being worn with the Cadet Force titles.

You do wonder what happened to all the battledress blouses with cadet insignia on and where all the photos of the cadets from the late 1940`s- early 1950`s are.

The ACF unit at my old school was still in existance when I first went but ceased to exist soon afterwards. I only got a photo of the unit this week when a copy of the school magazine appeared on E bay. The unit was affiliated to the R.A. and all the cadets are wearing the West Lancs Cadets sign on both arms.

Also shown is a battledress blouse to an officer in the Cadet unit affiliated to the 5th Kings from the 1960`s.

P.B.

[REME245]

These are two pictures of the Wiltshire ACF during the 1960's.

By this time they are wearing ACF and Wiltshire Titles and the Cap Badge appears to have the Maroon backing to it.

Does anyone know when adult NCO's were employed in the ACF if the reference to Officers only during WW2 is correct.

[Peter Brydon]

REME,

Great pictures, is that an RAF brevet on the officer next to the man in the suit ?

P.B.

[REMEVMBEA1]

I was in the local cadet force in 1949-1950 (IIRC) and we wore North Stafford titles.

[REME245]

Originally Posted by REMEVMBEA1

I was in the local cadet force in 1949-1950 (IIRC) and we wore North Stafford titles.

Obviously breaking the rules as then as now all personal must also display ACF Titles.

The clothing regulations for the new MTP Uniforms require titles to be sown directly on to uniforms.

[Peter Brydon]

I have often wondered why the battledress blouse of the Liverpool Collegiate CCF which was affiliated to the Liverpool Scottish had the additional "CCF" arm badge as shown in the photograph

From what REME says:

Originally Posted by REME245

Obviously breaking the rules as then as now all personal must also display ACF Titles.

It appears to have been put there to comply with the rules, presuming that the same rules applied to the CCF as they did to the ACF

P.B.

[REME245]

Yes it just so no one can mistake any Cadet Force Personal as being serving soldiers.

I believe there may have been a case in Northern Ireland where a cadet was mistakenly killed by the IRA believing him to be a soldier.

Officers do hold a type of TA Commision but adult NCO's are 'Crown Servant's' if I have the right phase.

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by REME245

The clothing regulations for the new MTP Uniforms require titles to be sown directly on to uniforms.

If not directly onto the uniform, then on the removable velcro arm patches which are a feature of the uniform?

Adult Instructors & Officers will continue to wear Rank Slides on the front of the uniform stating ACF while Cadets will wear Chevrons on the Arm

Adult Instructors are classed as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers(CFAVs) and Officers hold a TA Group B Commission, making them non-deployable.

(Officers & Men of the Home Service Battalion's of the Ulster Defence Regiment (now merged into the Royal Irish Regiment) were/are also classed as Type B engagments as are the Military Provost Guard Service.)

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by REME245

I believe there may have been a case in Northern Ireland where a cadet was mistakenly killed by the IRA believing him to be a soldier.

Not sure about the above, But in 2001 a bomb disguised as an army torch left outside a Territorial Army base in Shepherd's Bush seriously injured a 14-year-old cadet, who was blinded and had his hand blown off.

[REME245]

The new dress regulations published from memory in October show the titles stitched on the top of the sleves (note the attached from the manal)

A maxiumum of 4 qualification badges is allowed on one of the velcro patches. There is some discussion that the size of the velcro patches is to be reduced as a result of feed back from users. If this does happen the ACF may have to look again how they display their badges.

As with all things ACF some Counties will probably do their own thing and it has been suggested that these regulations are already being looked at again as a result of feed back from Counties. The instruction that medals when worn on Combats should not be court mounted made everyone laugh.

The regulations also refer to Cadet NCIO's wearing rank slides with CADET on.