Army Service Corps or Devonshire Regiment - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Rob Miller · #1 06-04-17, 12:21 PM

I bought this postcard recently which was described as Devonshire Regiment, but I suspect its actually ASC.

Also the strange plaques being held, are they a unit badge?

All thoughts welcome, please be aware I may sell this on if its definitely not Devon related

Rob

wardog · #2 06-04-17, 01:01 PM

The black buttons are interesting on the man front right- also the 'in mourning' buttons worn by some men. Any shoulder titles you can blow up- they look quite short. Regards, Paul.

Hoot · #3 06-04-17, 01:07 PM

ASC, no doubt about it in my opinion. The shoulder titles are the clincher but the shape of the cap badge is definitely ASC anyway.

wardog · #4 06-04-17, 01:12 PM

Also lots of leather1903 patt belts and the late war web version of these- would expect 1914 leather or 1908 web belts on infantry. Regards, Paul.

Postwarden · #5 06-04-17, 01:43 PM

The suggestion that they are ASC is strengthened by the plaques being held as the ASC had a tradition, carried on in WW2 of inventive unit signs like the one shown on their vehicles.

Jon

Rob Miller · #6 06-04-17, 01:52 PM

I've tried some higher resolution scans on the more visible shoulder titles but it hasn't helped much.

And 5 out of the 20 men are wearing mourning buttons, that's a rather horrible statistic.

Rob

Sonofacqms · #7 06-04-17, 02:55 PM

I am not sure whether the plaques with the cartoon type figure on is meant to represent Felix the Cat who first appeared in 1919 which coincides with the date on the card.

Rob

Fatboy Ken · #8 06-04-17, 03:06 PM

Hiya guys,

Looks to me as ASC unit, image they are holding is a Jester/Joker (pack of cards)
Have you noticed the patches being worn by the men on rheir shoulder/arms ?
They look like Ammunition Column to me.
Ken

Voltigeur · #9 06-04-17, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

I bought this postcard recently which was described as Devonshire Regiment, but I suspect its actually ASC.

Also the strange plaques being held, are they a unit badge?

All thoughts welcome, please be aware I may sell this on if its definitely not Devon related

Rob

The 'clown' looks something similar to the one appearing on pic #Q31368,
left panel,first line, third on right.

British Army divisional transport signs.

http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/298/81...at=photographs

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=60457

Postwarden · #10 06-04-17, 04:49 PM

The abbreviation BAC above the signs would suggest Brigade Ammunition Column which would tie in with the sign on the arm.

Jon

Postwarden · #11 06-04-17, 06:00 PM

An Ammunition Column badge of the type visible on the arms as illustrated in the splendid book Badges of the Empire's Waggoners.

Jon

Rob Miller · #12 07-04-17, 07:34 AM

Thank you all for your input, so the photo "Could" be an Officer and men of the123rd SBAC (Siege Battery Ammunition Column) ASC.

Rob

Hoot · #13 07-04-17, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Thank you all for your input, so the photo "Could" be an Officer and men of the123rd SBAC (Siege Battery Ammunition Column) ASC.

Rob

I'd say that was a safe bet. It's the soldier with the black buttons that is a puzzle. I wonder if he might have been transferred from a rifle battalion and not been issued replacement buttons by the time of the photo. Looking closely at his buttons I can see what appears to be the stringed bugle horn or maybe I'm just imagining things.

Fatboy Ken · #14 07-04-17, 10:10 AM

During this period and under Gen D. Haig's orders the ASC ranks were being trolled for all A1 fit personnel, there is no way these men would have been allowed to transfer from a rifle battalion into the ASC and they all look pretty fit to me.
I read somewhere (as stated above) that the black button was a form of remembrance to a death in the family, like the black armband.

Ken (The Fatboy)

Hoot · #15 07-04-17, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatboy Ken

During this period and under Gen D. Haig's orders the ASC ranks were being trolled for all A1 fit personnel, there is no way these men would have been allowed to transfer from a rifle battalion into the ASC and they all look pretty fit to me.
I read somewhere (as stated above) that the black button was a form of remembrance to a death in the family, like the black armband.

Ken (The Fatboy)

Ken, I know about the black "death" buttons but I was referring to the soldier wearing a full complement of black buttons. The photo is dated 1919, the war was over, so I see no reason to prevent the transfer.