HBMGC shoulder title, what does this stand for?

[David Moore]

Hello, I have been offered two shoulder titles by someone at work. The first is a regular MGC title, the second reads HBMGC and has a C underneath. The person is bringing it in on Friday. I would be interested to Know a little bit about it and would welcome any information.

Happy hunting Dave

[matti467]

Heavy Branch machine Gun Corp B troop/section (for some reason it has slipped my mind!) If pukka is a rare and valuable beastie.
Matti

[David Moore]

Cheers, I will get it on approval, so I will post it first.

Thanks Dave

[matti467]

Sorry I meant C not B denoting the sub-unit.
Matti

[fearnaught]

Hi, a whole batch of these appeared when Warnham was on the go. I've got one somewhere the HB is welded to an MGC all in one line and whatever letter you want stuck on top. Mike

[David Moore]

Should originals then be made in one piece?

Dave M

[fearnaught]

Hi, sorry they never existed. There is an MGC over C. The Heavy Branch was a short lived title for the Tank Corps. My title was an MGC over C with the HB added to the front so the C appears quite of centre. Mike

[David Moore]

Hello, I have just received the two titles. The HBMGC title is made in one piece and is 75mm wide with round rather than angular loops. The second title is similar to a standard MGC but has the initials MGG. I assume this stands for Machine Gun Guards?

Dave Moore

[Neil Pearce]

Hi David

I can't answer your question on the MGG, but would like to see it if possible? Have never heard of it's existence until now, but that should not surprise anyone

Bosleys have a title "HS over MGC" described as a rare sheet brass example. Code 1018746 (sold £225). Heavy Section

There is also a "MGC M" for "motorised" Quite rare

I am reluctant to accept that some of these "odd" titles never existed.
Best Regards
Neil

[GreenTankie]

HSMGC or Heavy Section Machine Gun Corps was formed on 14 July 1916. Its main purpose was the secretive formation of what was the forerunner to the Tank Corps. However, before it eventually became the Tank Corps on 28 July 1917 the HSMGC changed its title to the HBMGC or the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps on 18 November 1916. These 2 dates span a fairly significant historical first i.e. the first use of Tanks at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15-22 September 1916 which was part of the 3rd Battle of the Somme.
The cap badge of the MGC was universal thoughout the Corps and the only distinguisher were the shoulder titles of all the various branches.

From its forming in October 1915 the following Branches were named:
Infantry
Cavalry
Motor
and as I said above, the Heavy in July 1916

I know there is a bit of a gap between the OP and mine, but I hope this is helpful

FEAR NAUGHT

[badgecollector]

hi all
what are your thoughts on thses titles please.
ive never seen some of these so dont even know if there made up.
especially that HBMGC/C title. was that actualy worn? how? its so long??
regards
bc

[fearnaught]

Hi BC, it is very hard to say one way or the other. Some of them would be relatively easy to knock up in a workshop, but when? I rather like the HS over curved MGC but is it genuine? Unfortunately the fakers depend on our wishes to believe that it is real. The only title I have that is workshop made, really is workshop made even down to cotter pin lugs! It wouldn't win a beauty contest. Having said that there appears to be a genuine 8/ACC made up using Army Catering Corps titles but obviously post war, though whether they were a one off or the whole company had them is unknown. Really the only final proof is photographic evidence and the only titles I've seen are loose H's over MGC. Please someone out there prove me wrong. If you were thinking of buying the titles I would advise caution, the big title I bought as a copy for a couple of quid a long time ago, hope this ramble helps, best wishes Mike