IS IT GENERAL LIST OR GENERAL SERVICE CORPS??

[2747andy]

Jerry,
I'll be very suprised if Warminster (HQ ITC) can throw any more light than has already been shone here on the Forum, they are responsible for Infantry specialist training and there are no recruits there. As far as I am aware Infantry Recruits wear the Cap Badge of their Regiment of choice. They will probably try to answer your question, but asking them is a bit like asking Tesco how much a tin of beans is in Sainsburys.

(Issueing a badge for a few weeks seems a pointless waste of money to me, especially in the current climate), I think your LB&B is probably they badge they wear at Pirbright for the first few weeks as pointed out by SteveB and your question has been answered, the larger badge you show is generaly referred to as that of the General List, the smaller General Service Corps. The GSC is exactly the same as that worn by (most) Warrant Officers calss 1 (there are a few Regtl Variations) with lugs it is a Wrist Badge with a slider it is a cap badge!

Andy

[engr9266]

Thanks for your input Andy. I had sent the email to HQ ITC last night way before I saw Steve's reply.
I also got this from the Army web site

The Initial Training Group (ITG) is responsible for part of the journey from civilian to trained soldier. The Army Training Regiments (ATRs) provide Phase 1 Training for the majority of the regiments and corps in the British Army.
We command the four Army Training Regiments (ATRs) 1 ATR and 2 ATR Pirbright (that sit under ATC Pirbright), ATR Bassingbourn and ATR Winchester as well as the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate as part of the Army Recruiting and Training Division who are responsible for all recruiting and training prior to becoming a fully qualified soldier or officer.

The headquarters is run by Brigadier Richard Smith Commander Initial Training Group (CITG), supported by a number of military staff

As seen in the video link from Steve, it shows at least two wearing the GSC badge while at Pirbright so hopefully I will find out if this is common to all ATR's or just Pirbright. I know that at AFC Harrogate they wear their own badge and I beleive that at ATR Bassingbourn members of 28 TRG SQN RE wear the RE badge but this, I hope, will come forward in the near future.
Thanks to all for your thoughts.
Jerry.

[scrimnet]

I can confirm that ALL new entrants wear the GSC cap badge and dark blue beret until completion of initial trg (the old "passing off the square"). I was very surprised to see them when I was posted to Bassingbourn last year, and I have subsequently seen them at Pirbright.

[engr9266]

SCRIMNET, Thanks for your input on this subject. What corps or regiment are you? I am ex Royal Engineers(served 24yrs).
Jerry.

[scrimnet]

Originally Posted by engr9266

SCRIMNET, Thanks for your input on this subject. What corps or regiment are you? I am ex Royal Engineers(served 24yrs).
Jerry.

I guessed you maybe a Sapper...

I was 2nd Royal Anglian during my first incarnation, I am now (shock horror!) A QA!!

[engr9266]

Dear all, I received this reply from HQ ITC regarding the wearing of the GSC badge during phase 1 training:- First my e mail to HQ ITC:-

SIR, I am told that when a recruit joins the army he/she would be badged
in the General Service Corps(GSC) for the first six weeks of training.
Can you confirm if this is correct or not? I am an ex Royal Engineer
having served for 24 years and now as a hobby I collect cap badges and
the GSC is part of this. I look forward to your reply.

and the reply

I can confirm that all Phase 1 trainees wear the General Service Corps
Cap Badge until approx week 6-7 of training, after which they wear the
cap badge of the Unit they will be going to at Phase 2.

ATJ

AT JOHNSON
Maj
SO2 Plans
HQ ITG

[Mike_2817]

A GSC Cap Badge with Slider for Beret is worn at ATR's as stated above.

A WO1's wrest badge has short lugs and that is how you can tell the two examples apart.

AFC Harrogate entrants wear a AFC cap badge for the first term then carry out a badging parade before end of term leave.

[Mike_2817]

To illustrate the differance between WO1 Rank Badges [on the left]

Warrant Officer Class One with Short Lugs & Brass Backing Plate for Leather Wrist Band

Gold Anodised, Worn by most Regiments & Corps
Black Anodised, Worn by Royal Irish and Light Infantry*
Silver Anodised, Worn by Gurkhas and Light Infantry*

The Rifles now wear Black Anodised


and General Service List (Officers Bronzed) and General Service Corps (Soldiers) [on the right]

Bronzed GSL with Long Lugs for Service Cap (Also with Short Lugs for Beret)

Gold Anodised GSC with Slider

[engr9266]

Can any one confirm if the GENERAL LIST ever used a plastic badge? I have seen on e bay a GSC small plastic badge shown as used by GL.
I await your replys, Thank you

[Mike_2817]

I should think a gold coloured plastic badge was for the General Service Corps or for use by Warrant Officers but unlikly as cloth & printed were produced (Plastic Officers Pips & Crowns were however produced)

A GL Badge would have been bronzed and a private purchase.

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

I should think a gold coloured plastic badge was for the General Service Corps or for use by Warrant Officers but unlikly as cloth & printed were produced (Plastic Officers Pips & Crowns were however produced)

A GL Badge would have been bronzed and a private purchase.

This raises the question "Did officers ever wear plastic economy cap badges during or in the period after WW2?"
They did wear plastic rank stars and crowns which, like cap badges, would have been privately purchased from military tailors and outfitters.

[Alan O]

No the crowns and pips were issued. There were ordered by and supplyed to the WD. the production figures are recorded in the official archives.

Alan

[Mike_2817]

As for Officers wearing Plastic Badges, at a pinch I am sure they did, but they would have purchased a better example from the RAOC Officers Shop as soon as possible, who also sold rank badges, In some regiments & corps it was the custom to wear the smaller collar badge on the FSC. An officer only got a free issue of rank insignia on Promotion.

I have badges in my collection that have been blackened for someone who was commissioned in the field.

[David Tremain]

I saw a bronze version of the plastic badge at the Ottawa show last fall and meant to get it, but went off to look for something else and forgot to go back for it. I would've thought it was more likely to be bronze, given that the only ones wearing them would've been officers. David

[engr9266]

There is a dark chocolate colour plastic badge but it was to dark to photo and show