Mystery Solved - Apprentice RSM

[Postwarden]

Publication of this photo - published as a mystery on the Forum - in the latest edition of The Formation Sign , Journal of the Military Heraldry Society provided an answer from two Society members. One wrote;-

As an Apprentice Tradesman (A/T) at the Army Technical School (Boys) Arborfield in 1945, I wore that exact uniform less the puttees. Our cap badge being the General Service Corps (The Royal Arms) The A/T RSM , known as The Boy RSM , wore a GSC cap badge (with loops E & W ) superimposed on 3 Chevrons in black felt on red felt. (As the boy in the photo).

Boy CSM's wore the Crown in Laurel Wreath on his chevrons. I'm not aware of Green badges of rank , as suggested. Also Cert A badges weren't worn.

It is possible that this Boy RSM may have served at the ATS(B) at Chepstow as i don't recall ever seeing puttees being worn in old photo's at Arborfield.

The suggestion that this Boy RSM served at The Army Technical School at Chepstow was confirmed by another Society member who described the boy in the picture as a Beachley Boy after the name of the Chepstow camp.

[mike_vee]

RSM 1966

Photos of different years on this site :
https://armyapprenticecollegechepstow.co.uk/groups/

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[Postwarden]

Mike,

Nice image.

Thanks

Jon

[grey_green_acorn]

Here is a more recent Junior RSM

Tim

[Mike_2817]

The Modern Junior NCO's at the Army Foundation Collage at Harrogate wear their Junior NCO ranks on a brassard so not to damage their Service Dress Jackets. On Combat Dress they wear slip on's with Company Colours.

WO1 (RSM) Skinner here giving Junior Regimental Sergeant Major Doherty (Parachute Regiment) some words of advice as he takes charge of the 700 strong parade for the first time in 2019 pre Covid lockdown.

There are 2 JRSM's per year, one for the Short Course & one for the Long Course.

AFC delivers two Phase 1 (initial military training) courses:

Junior Soldiers enlisted for roles in combat arms (the infantry, Royal Artillery and Royal Armoured Corps) are enrolled on a 42-week course.

Junior Soldiers enlisted for other army trades complete a shorter, 22-week course.

Despite the differing course lengths, all recruits are trained to the same standard of the Common Military Syllabus

Junior Soldiers who complete their Phase 1 training proceed to their Phase 2 courses (military trade training) at other establishments.

The traditional Black on Scarlet rank badges are still used.