Unknown colour patches any ideas ??

[Jackhr]

Hi
are these legit and can anyone tell me the unit ??

Thanks

[lettman]

These appear to be home-made (or theatre-made) versions of Glyde #267, Australian Motor Transport Service, 1916-1919. I would suggest that the Anzac 'A' was earned by service in some other unit, but I don't know anything about the AMTS other than the information Keith supplies in the entry for that particular patch.

[fairlie63]

I reckon I've made an error there too. It probably should be Aust Mechanical Transport Service.

Keith

[lettman]

What actually was the unit, Keith? Why such a seemingly eccentric colour patch?

[mike_vee]

Auxiliary Mechanical Transport Company ?

In 1918, mechanical transport companies replaced supply columns and ammunition sub parks in order to effect a more efficient utilisation of the available mechanical (as opposed to horse) transport by pooling it under corps control. The auxiliary mechanical transport companies were shipped to provide mechanical transport for AIF units without Australian mechanical transport.

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/OrderOfB...ice_Corps.html


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[lettman]

Obviously those are the units. My remaining question is, if they were formed in Australia in 1916 and broken up in 1917, how did anyone qualify for the Anzac 'A', as per the original post?

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by lettman

if they were formed in Australia in 1916 and broken up in 1917, how did anyone qualify for the Anzac 'A'

From AWM site :

ANZAC ‘A’ BADGE

Also in 1917 it was announced that Gallipoli veterans would be entitled to wear a brass letter ‘A’ for Anzac, on their unit colour patches. It is understood that this idea was first suggested by General Gellibrand to General Godley early in 1916, and the badges first appeared later that year. The idea was well received by Anzac veterans who were proud to wear this token of honour they had achieved for the AIF in the 1915 campaign.

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[badgecollector]

Originally Posted by lettman

Obviously those are the units. My remaining question is, if they were formed in Australia in 1916 and broken up in 1917, how did anyone qualify for the Anzac 'A', as per the original post?

all Gallipoli veterans, were entitled to wear the A on their colour patch. many had transferred into other units. happened regularly
bc

[lettman]

Yes, I know, but I was suggesting there must have been a very narrow window in the case of these particular units. Strictly speaking, these units were disbanded at the same time as the 'A' was authorised for wear (August 1917).

[fairlie63]

I think the AMTS covered an immense variety of personnel. For instance the transport pools in the UK at the camps, etc. Ambulance drivers in Egypt.

Several years ago I posted a photo from State Library of South Australia of one of the tank crew from that tank sent to Australia wearing the patch.

It covered a wide variety of personnel whose duties were as drivers or otherwise on mechanical transport. I do have some drawings from a private notebook that suggest the Siege Battery Ammunition Columns may have worn this patch at one time or another.

Keith

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

Several years ago I posted a photo from State Library of South Australia of one of the tank crew from that tank sent to Australia wearing the patch.

While I was digging around on the net I think spotted that photo on another forum (but didn't bookmark it ) , an NCO with chevrons , metal tank arm badge and AMTC patch with metal ANZAC 'A'.

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