"R" badge

[Tinto]

Hi All,
Does anybody know where this "R" badge fits? Is it part of a shoulder title?
Thanks, Tinto

[slick_mick]

Retired officer badge perhaps?

Mick

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

Retired officer badge perhaps?

Mick

Hi Mick,
I was wondering the same, or possibly Reserve, worn on the lapel?
Cheers, Tinto

[fairlie63]

Mick is correct in that a R title was worn by retired officers on the shoulder strap below the badges of rank, and in the same finish as those badges.

However I am fairly certain that the large R similar to that shown in the first post was worn by members of the AIF who were discharged and served in the Australian Army Reserve which was instituted in 1917 but I don't know how long it lasted.

I do have a photograph somewhere of it being worn on the front of the slouch hat above the hat band by one man but have not been able to locate the authority for its wear. It was intended to be worn on the shoulder strap.

I will keep looking.

Keith

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

Mick is correct in that a R title was worn by retired officers on the shoulder strap below the badges of rank, and in the same finish as those badges.

However I am fairly certain that the large R similar to that shown in the first post was worn by members of the AIF who were discharged and served in the Australian Army Reserve which was instituted in 1917 but I don't know how long it lasted.

I do have a photograph somewhere of it being worn on the front of the slouch hat above the hat band by one man but have not been able to locate the authority for its wear. It was intended to be worn on the shoulder strap.

I will keep looking.

Keith

Hi Keith,
Thanks for your information, very interesting.
Cheers, Tinto

[kingsley]

The Army Reserve in WW1 was retired officers, not the militia as we use the term today. There was a small shield shaped lapel badge for civilian clothes, and a larger cursive letter R which I understand was worn on a uniform cap. I will have a look at my picture file and post some pix.

[fairlie63]

I have the following notes from two sources:

1. Report upon the Department of Defence From the First of July 1914 until the Thirtieth of June 1917 Office of the Secretary, Department of Defence (compiler), undated, but circa 1919, Government Printer, Melbourne.

On 29 September 1915, Colonel The Hon Kenneth MacKay CB VD, commanding the 3rd Light Horse Brigade of the Citizen Military Forces, was requested to prepare a scheme for the formation of a national reserve. Regulations for the Army reserve were laid before both Houses of Parliament on 14 February 1917 and the first man was enrolled on 6 March 1917. Training for the Australian Army Reserve was not to occur for twelve months, and when instituted would only consist of a total commitment of four days annually. Personnel would be paid at militia rates of pay while attending training. Participation in the Australian Army Reserve was purely voluntary.

The Class ‘B’ Reserve was to be comprised of officers and men who have been on active service, ex-members of the Permanent Military Forces, residents of Australia who have been members of any other force of the Empire, and men completing their service in the Class ‘A’ Reserve (Universal Trainees) who elect to transfer to Class ‘B’. Reservists will wear the battalion colour patches of the units with which they served at the front and men discharged from the AIF were to join the reserve battalion, regiment, or corps bearing the same number as the AIF unit in which they served.

2. Military Order 79 of 1917, Statutory Rules 1917, Statutory Rule No 26, approved 7 February 1917, to come into effect forthwith: Australian Military Regulations 1916, Part XXIII – Australian Army Reserve.

Confirms the above, adds Class C – Rifle Clubs.

Division VI – General, para 1375 – All members of the Australian Army Reserve who are in possession of uniform shall wear the letter "R" on the head dress, above the numeral.

The photograph I have shows the R being worn correctly on the head dress, my error in thinking it was for the shoulder strap.

Cheers, Keith

[kingsley]

Here is the picture from my files. I have always understood that the block R was worn on the epaulette and the cursive R worn on the slouch hat above the numeral.

[49lassiepen]

Tinto not sure on new zealand/Australian badges
I have a reserve wm R as worn as S/T
R/1/RA/CINQUE PORTS as worn by Neville tracy grandfather [ N T massive artillery collection sold over 2 days by Sothebys ]
David

[Tinto]

Thank you for everybody's valuable inputs, including pictures from kingsley.
Seems my R badge belongs on the epaulette.
Cheers, Tinto

[guBulawayo]

Originally Posted by kingsley

Here is the picture from my files. I have always understood that the block R was worn on the epaulette and the cursive R worn on the slouch hat above the numeral.

What size is the cursive R as it looks similar to the one used by the Rhodesian Police Reserve, thanks Wayne

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by Tinto

Seems my R badge belongs on the epaulette.

Probably best to keep an open mind on it at the moment Tinto, the photo I have is of the block R being worn on the hat. Having only seen that photo in the last couple of weeks while looking for something else, I'm damned if I can find it now. I will keep looking.

Keith