Army Scripture Readers

[mike_vee]

Interesting old (2011) thread :

Scripture Reader

.

[dragon166]

Sorry 3dg but I don't know the answer. It would seem that the organisation was formed as the Soldiers and Airmens Christian Association at the birth of the RAF. They then amalgamated with the Army Scripture Readers in 1938. In 1950 the title was changed to the present Soldiers and Airmens Scripture Association. The ASR badge seems to go back to 1916.
Dave

[bess55]

Very interesting link - thanks Mike!

[3dg]

Originally Posted by mike_vee

Interesting old (2011) thread :

Scripture Reader

.

An interesting thread indeed.
Thank you

[3dg]

Originally Posted by dragon166

Sorry 3dg but I don't know the answer. It would seem that the organisation was formed as the Soldiers and Airmens Christian Association at the birth of the RAF. They then amalgamated with the Army Scripture Readers in 1938. In 1950 the title was changed to the present Soldiers and Airmens Scripture Association. The ASR badge seems to go back to 1916.
Dave

Thanks again Dave.
Quite a variety of cloth badges and slides for them.
Cheers
Chris

[engr9266]

Originally Posted by 3dg

Thanks Dave,
What year did they include the RAF?
Is there a Navy equivalent?
Cheers
Chris

There are these items. The RNSR I believe stands for "Royal Navy Scripture Reader"
No idea on age etc of them.

[3dg]

Thanks Jerry, all interesting stuff
Cheers
Chris

[Padre]

Sorry 3dg but I don't know the answer. It would seem that the organisation was formed as the Soldiers and Airmens Christian Association at the birth of the RAF. They then amalgamated with the Army Scripture Readers in 1938. In 1950 the title was changed to the present Soldiers and Airmens Scripture Association. The ASR badge seems to go back to 1916.
Dave

After a request was made to involve the Scripture Readers in RAF affairs, permission was granted by the Air Ministry in 1937 for Scripture Readers to visit aerodromes. The then RAF Chaplain in Chief noted at the time: "I came into touch with the Army Scripture Readers for the first time while serving as an Army Chaplain in 1905. The Society has recently been given official permission by the Air Ministry, and work at Air Force Stations has begun. I welcome this worn in the Air Force, for I know the message taken by the Readers to the men is the gospel of God's saving power in Jesus Christ, who alone can deliver men from sin's degradation and give them power to set them free to live truly manly lives for their Lord, and for the benefit of their comrades."

Additionally there was the 'Soldiers Christian Association' which added the RAF to its ranks in 1930, becoming the 'Soldiers and Airmen's Christian Association'. In late September 1938 they joined with the 'Army Scripture Readers' to form the 'Army Scripture Readers & Soldiers and Airmen's Christian Association', and introduced a new light blue on red shoulder title.

A full history of the ASR and SACA can be found in the book 'Sovereign Service' by Colonel Ian Dobbie.

[3dg]

Super information Padre, much appreciated.
I want to look more into this organisation, as my Great, Great Uncle served with them after serving in the Royal Field Artillery for twenty odd years.
Thanks for the photo of the title, and I'll look up that book.
Cheers
Chris

[Padre]

Pleasure.

The book only goes to 1988, but is pretty much all you want to know, and it can be obtained for as little as £3.00 or £4.00 or so. But do contact the Association too as they are very helpful and pretty good at answering questions. I think they have an archive too, but don't hold me to that!

[3dg]

Found it on Amazon for less than a fiver, bargain.
Thank you again, you've been a great help.
Chris

[CAM]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

There is/was an ARMY SCRIPTURE READER cloth embroidered title probably for Battle Dress.

Tim

I vaguely remember seeing one worn on a wooly pully in late seventies - but as I say vague, although I do remember the chap being able to do push ups in the sitting position on his fists with his legs parallel to the ground (not an easy feat).

Chris