WW1 RFA / RGA Telephonist ??

[Mike]

I've exchanged a few messages with a person trying to complete a set of representative badges for an ancestor. The ancestor served in the RGA and was a "signaller and telephonist".
I would have said the only proficiency/ trade badge the soldier would have worn would be the signallers crossed flags.

However - we have found a postcard on ebay of a WW1 Artilleryman, allegedly, a "signaller & telephonist". But to me the 'T' badge on his arm is a Gunlayers two part proficiency badge, but with the 'L' worn upside-down.

See postcard here

Mysterious? As far as I am aware, there was no 'Telephonist' badge during WW1.

Any comments on this one folks?

[Postwarden]

I agree that the centre of the wreath does look like the Layer's L worn upside down. It does however look a little like the letter T so could it be a local unofficial attempt to come up with a Telephonist's badge?

Jon

[54Bty]

Prior to 1901 the badge was a Gunnery Prize and worn on the left cuff, with the L the correct way up.

Marc

[fougasse1940]

Very creative!

Rgds, Thomas

[Panther]

The Artillery Wireless Operators seemed to have done a lot of communication with the R.F.C. who prior to Wireless/Telephones used to write messages then drop them from their Aircraft over our own lines where they would be passed on to the Gunners.
I believe then they Transmitted in Morse code before using Radio/Telephones.
The RFC had their own badge for a Wireless Operator, one of which is on Ebay now at £275.00
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extremely...53.m1438.l2649
A mystery as to why the Army didnt have a badge when the RFC did, as It seems that quite a lot of Telephonists were part of the Artillery Batteries.

[Spree Farm]

Hi,

I found yourforum whilst searching for information on a trade proficiency badge with a T' in the centre.

This came with a RFA WWI I recently purchased. see attached