Military Insignia on Civilian Clothing

[Jelly Terror]

Badges such as the SWB, munitions badges, 'On War Service' etc, are often seen being worn on civilian clothing in old photos and postcards. Occasionally too, a soldier in civilian clothing can be seen with their regimental cap badge in the lapel of their jacket (as in the example below). However, I wonder how common it was for items such a Wound Stripes to be worn on civvies? Anyone have examples of this kind of thing to share?

With thanks,

JT.

RF 55b.jpgRF 55c.jpgRF 55d.jpg

[Bill A]

A very interesting photo.
Appears to be a Royal Fusiliers cap badge?

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Bill A

A very interesting photo.
Appears to be a Royal Fusiliers cap badge?

Yes indeed, Bill... Royal Fusiliers.

Regards.

[Milmed]

Hi,
Just an opinion... the 'uniform' may be Hospital blues (blue jacket, trousers, white shirt and red tie) and not civilian dress.

Steven

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Milmed

Hi,
Just an opinion... the 'uniform' may be Hospital blues (blue jacket, trousers, white shirt and red tie) and not civilian dress.

Steven

It's a thought, Steven, but did the 'hospital blues' jacket not have lapels with white facings?

Regards.

[Milmed]

Hi,
Most contemporary photo's I've seen do show white facings, but I have also seen jackets without the facings and with or without pockets.

Do a Google image search for 'Hospital blues' to see what I am referring to.

Steven

[Graham Stewart]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

It's a thought, Steven, but did the 'hospital blues' jacket not have lapels with white facings?

Regards.

Or possibly employed within the Civil Service/War Office or other establishment, where wounded ex-servicemen were employed?

Years ago I had the chance to buy a group photo of the combined 5th/68th Depot Staff at the end of the War, which contained more civilians(both men & women) on it than service personnel. Needless to say I dipped out, going round all of the stalls to see what else was for sale.

[zob]

Interesting photograph. If indeed these are not hospital blues, then I wonder if the overt display of the two wound stripes and cap badge on the lapel are in fact a way of saying “I’ve done my bit” to those ladies of the “White Feather” brigade, who from what I understand never missed an opportunity to dole out their rather shameful symbol of cowardice to those unfortunate enough to be caught out of uniform.

Regards,

Zob.

[grumpy]

I don't think so ......... surely the war is over? White feather hysteria was in the past.

The overseas chevrons not issued until into 1918, and the BWM and VM ribbon even later.

[zob]

Originally Posted by grumpy

I don't think so ......... surely the war is over? White feather hysteria was in the past.

The overseas chevrons not issued until into 1918, and the BWM and VM ribbon even later.

Hi,
I was referring to the initial photograph which does not display overseas chevrons or medal ribbons, as the gentleman in the second picture is quite clearly wearing attire that could not be confused with “Hospital blues”, and as you say was most probably taken post war.
Regards,
Zob.

[davidwyke]

I wonder if there is an "economic" aspect to the latest photo?

As Grumpy says, it has to be post war if the ribbons are BWM & VM. Probably late 1919 at the earliest, more likely 1920.

Given that rather than returning to a "land fit for heroes", many ex-servicemen actually returned to a land full of the unemployed. It's almost as if he is saying "I did my bit and now I deserve a job".

David

[SAS1]

A member of the Kodak ARP at their Harrow factory. Armband says 'Kodak ARP'. Complete with wound stripe and war service stripes.

[kingsley]

A really interesting thread, no doubt there are similar pictures of Australians.
Has there ever been a thread about British military groups wearing civilian badges on military uniform?
I think we have only ever had a thread about Australian 'Accredited Organisations' (e.g. Red Cross, Comforts Fund, Salvos, Telcom, Campaigners For Christ, Naval Auxiliary Patrol) because of the Geneva Convention concerning capture in civilian dress near the front line.

[Jelly Terror]

A cracking picture from Neil R. Storey’s ‘Norfolk in the Great War - A Pictorial History’(p.94):

IMG_7429.jpgIMG_7430.jpg

Caption reads:

‘The future NCOs of the Norfolk Regiment Service Battalions; no uniforms yet but cap badges are worn with pride in the lapel and the all important stripes pinned to their sleeves.’

JT