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#1
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Armament Staff Sergeant Insignia
Hello everyone,
I have a query about the ranks of 'Staff Serjeant' and 'Armament Staff Serjeant' in the First World War. Was there any difference in the rank badges worn or are they identical? Would the Armament Staff Serjeant have worn any other badges in addition to the crown and chevrons? Many thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide. Chris |
#2
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Chris,
Simple answer is yes, they were different and yes the ASS wore an additional badge, the crossed hammer and pincers Armourers trade badge between the chevrons and the crown on the right upper arm. regards
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Simon Butterworth Manchester Regiment Collector Rank, Prize & Trade Badges British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges |
#3
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I agree with Simon's comment regarding the badges but think you will find that the appointment was officially 'Staff Armourer Sergeant'.
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#4
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Thank you both very much indeed. That is very helpful. I had tried a bit of a google search but had not come up with much. Using the term 'Staff Armourer Sergeant' I was able to straight away see many examples of what you mean.
Many thanks, Chris |
#5
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Quote:
What did the Armament prefix entail - artillery as opposed to small arms? Keith |
#6
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Quote:
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#7
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Great photographic evidence here from member Armourer74
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...p?albumid=1801 With badge examples here http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...p?albumid=2571 Tim
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"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." |
#8
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Thanks very much indeed to everyone for their comments and links. I am finding it all extremely fascinating.
Regards, Chris |
#9
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As you may know they ended up in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers when it was formed in 1941. My very good friend, Peter Winfield, who hails from Australia (and is a member here), has been researching the history of British Army and Commonwealth Forces armourers for some years now, gathering much detail, and I am hoping that he will publish a book one day. He has the best collection of multifarious details that I know of.
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#10
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During my time (1967-2009), REME Armourers were responsible for Small Arms and Gun Fitters (Armament Artificers) looked after Guns.
Marc
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I am still looking for British Army cloth Formation, Regimental, Battalion, Company and other Unit sleeve badges, from 1980 onwards. |
#11
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Yes, Marc, it is interesting. At first the RA had just 'armourers' who because of the simple design of muzzle loading cannon could deal with both small arms and field pieces (the latter along with wheelwrights). It seems to have been the introduction of the Armstrong gun that changed things, whereby in an early example of a PFI the company was given the contract to train gun fitters for first line repair, as well as receive guns in their factory for second line repair. It created a monopoly that at the time caused quite a scandal. From that shaky start the concept of the artificer gun fitter grew and, like the armourers, for a short period they had a corps of their own.
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#12
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Thanks very much again. Very interesting indeed.
Chris |
Tags |
armament staff serjeant, insignia, rank badges |
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