GMGR Russia 1919

[grumpy]

Query for the experts.
I know that GMGR cap badge was worn in Russia 1919 [photos].

On the GWF the assertion is made that the three HC components of the new GMGR did not adopt the new cap badge, merely MGC collars.

If this is assertion is correct then the only GMGR cap badges worn in Russia were by the 1/4 Foot Guards component.

Anyone care to be definitive please?
This is an itch waiting to be scratched!

[grumpy]

the relevant thread

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/...s-war-diaries/

[grumpy]

Please does anyone know how many GMGR cap badges were ordered/ struck/ authorised?

[Bill]

Hi Grumpy
I don't know if this helps but Appendix VI in 'The Guards Division in the Great War 1915-1918' by Headlam is entitled 'The origin and history of the Machine Gun Regiment'.

In this he goes through the original formation of the GMGR, 10th May 1918 when all the Household Cavalry were transformed into machine gunners:
1st (1st Life Guards) Battalion 40 officers, 720 other ranks
2nd (2nd Life Guards) Battalion 31 officers, 822 other ranks
3rd (Royal Horse Guards) Battalion 30 officers, 756 other ranks
The Machine Gun Guards then became the
4th (Foot Guards) Battalion 59 officers and 983 other ranks
5th (Reserve) Battalion 70 officers, 1051 other ranks.

'On the 6th November 1918 a new cap badge, collar badges, and buttons were approved for the regiment'

However after the Armistice the first three battalions remained in Belgium and France and were ordered back to their duties as HC on 15th Feb 1919 leaving on 4th March for the UK, so they were unlikely to receive the new badges.

However the 4th were in Germany as part of the occupying force but returned home in April and were combined with the Reserve Battalion. If these were the ONLY ones to receive badges the maximum number of officers is around 130 and other ranks about 2000. Recruiting was opened again on 9th April 1919. On 29th May two officers and 39 other ranks went with the Northern Russian Expeditionary Force as part of the 201st Batt. Machine Gun Corps, the photographs of which you have seen.

Recruiting for the regiment stopped on 27th Nov 1919 and it was disbanded on 25th Feb 1920.

Bill