WW1 Recruiting Badges

[Peter Brydon]

For some time I have had an attractive silver and enamel Civilian Recruiters badge for the West Lancashire Territorial Force.

The only other Recruiting badges that I recall seeing to specific locations were three, all dated 1915, in Bosleys Postal Auction of January 2012.They were red enamelled badges for 47th Recruiting Area and 30th Recruiting Area, the third was more ornate being enamelled in 3 colours for the 22nd Area.

I have just acquired a rather nice example in gilt and enamel for the 16th Recruiting Area which was at Huntingdon. It is pictured.

I presume that there would have been examples for all the Recruiting areas. I would be interested in seeing any other examples that members might have and if anyone can please explain what the basis of the Recruiting Areas was ( they do not appear to tie in with Regimental or other Districts ) I would be grateful.

P.B.

[Postwarden]

Peter,

I recorded this example on ebay ten years ago. But like you I have no further information on the Areas and how they worked.

Jon

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Jon,


Peter

['Ticker' Riley]

Hello Peter

Your posting about recruiting badges has caught my interest, not least because a couple of years ago I bought a badge for the “6th Recruiting Area” which also sports the antelope of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. When I can I shall try and take a picture of this, and add it to this thread.

In the meantime I have managed to find an interesting appendix to a House of Commons Command Paper for the 1917-18 Session entitled National Service Instruction. N.S.I. No. 2 of 1917. Constitution and Organisation of Regions, Regional Headquarters and Recruiting Areas, and Transfer of Recruiting to Civil Control under the Minister of National Service. (cd.8833), which I think will answer things.

I set out below the pages of the appendix which has Regimental District Numbers, alongside of which are the Recruiting Areas with their respective addresses and Headquarters. I believe that the numbers here are the same as the old regimental numbers, and this would certainly seem to be the case with my “6th Recruiting Area” badge as the Royal Warwicks were, of course, previously the 6th Regiment of Foot:

This would therefore mean that your “16th Recruiting Area - Huntingdon” badge would be for the Bedfordshire Regiment, who I understand were originally the 16th Foot. But equally the above list would suggest that there should, theoretically, be other badges like yours with “Bedford” and “Hertford” on them. Anyhow, hope this of interest?

Best regards

Martin

[Peter Brydon]

Martin,

That is great and answers the question.

Thanks and Regards

Peter

( Just need to find an example for the 8th Recruiting area now. )

['Ticker' Riley]

Hi Peter

Glad to be of help, and pleased to hear you found things of interest. It has, of course, also been a useful exercise for me, as it has confirmed what I thought about my “6th Recruiting Area” badge. Talking of which here is a quick picture of said badge, though not the best of photos I’m afraid:

I’ll certainly keep an eye open for an 8th Recruiting Area badge for you, and perhaps in return you, or indeed some other kind soul, might bear me in mind if you ever see one for the 17th Recruiting Area; given my interest in the Leicesters?

Best regards

Martin

[BROOKIES]

Peter.

Here's a few Welsh one for reference, all button hole fixing apart from one converted to pin fixing, also showing makers marks.

Ta

Jonathan.

P9220018.jpgP9220023.jpgP9220077.jpgP9220082.jpgP9220085.jpgP9220086.jpgP9220089.jpgP9220090.jpg

[gurkharifles]

Does anyone know if there is a similar document for recruiting areas for other corps other than the infantry ? I'm particularly interested in the Royal Field Artillery ? Tim

[manchesters]

Tim,

The document doesn't seem to make reference to being just for Infantry.

I would think it was for recruiting all branches of military personnel within those areas.

regards

[Roy]

Some very nice badges gents,

I can't say I have seen too many of these floating around.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

Roy.

[41st]

Had this one for a while and never been able to ID what exactly it refers to.
Hwyl,
Kevin

[Matlock1418]

From this interesting thread - I believe recruiting areas each had a Recruiting Area No. and a Regimental District No. [Think they were aligned to the regiments they recruited - so possibly 45 for 45th (Nottinghamshire) (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment of Foot ???]

= What were the Recruiting Area No. and District No. for Matlock?

= What physical area?

= Can anyone please help me out with an image of such a recruiting badge for Matlock? [and Notts & Derby Regt. / Sherwood Foresters?]
Will always welcome other specific and/or general info on this subject.

In hope. TIA
:-) M

[Matlock1418]

A bit more research and looking more carefully in the posts above it is clear that Matlock fell in the Yorkshire and East Midlands Region - Regimental District 45
Further reflecting:
A Matlock badge is perhaps a little too much to ask for since very localised [but I'm still up for an image if you have one].
I think a District 45 badge probably might be a more likely option [so if you have an image it would be much appreciated here please]
Or a Yorkshire and East Midlands Region badge.
In hope ...
:-) M