O.C.R. cloth badge

[badjez]

For some while I've had the badge 'O.C.R.' in my unidentified box.

Today I found this battle dress advertised on eBay with an arm badge: a small 4 point khaki star with the letters O.C.R. beneath.

Can somebody please identify it?

I am aware that ACF/OTC War Cert Y and Cert A badges could be carried over from the cadets to training:
19.08.46. ACFO 25. Para.4. Wearing of the Certificate ‘A’ Badge at Primary Training Centres, Corps Training Regiments, Training Bn, and ITC.
Recruits on entering the Army who, while members of the JTC or ACF, gained certificate ‘A’ will continue to wear the certificate ‘A’ proficiency badge during the time spent under training at PTC, ITC, Training Bn, Corps Training Regt and Units.
The badge will be discarded on posting away from the above establishments or, in the case of those men posted direct from PTC to service units, on attaining 3 months’ service.
Cadets reporting to join the Army should be in possession of the necessary evidence to support their entitlement to the badge, and the actual badge should be taken when they report for duty.
No issue will be made of Certificate ‘A’ badges at Training Establishments.

The War Certificate Y badge was a four point khaki star, and the A Certificate a red four pointed star.

Thanks, Stephen.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-1937-P...item258fcadac4

[badjez]

It isn't often that the Forum members appear to be stumped, but after 75 viewings not one suggestion, hence a bump-up.

Stephen.

[Peter Brydon]

Stephen,

The Vendor is Kevin King of Marlows, seems he dosnt know either.

Peter

[Postwarden]

Stephen,

I also saw the badge on the ebay BD which jogged my memory about your badge.

The only thought that I had as a result was possibly Officer Cadet Reserve ie ORs who might be suitable for commissioning should the need arise. Not I must admit a body I have ever heard of but the only suggestion I can make.

Jon

[badjez]

Thank you.
I've just Googled 'Officer Cadet Reserve' and found this newspaper article

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=6113,1810650

I'm still wondering why the owner of this BD was wearing the badge at the end of the war though.

Stephen.

[Postwarden]

Stephen,

Glad my guess paid off. Well done for finding a mention in print.

The BD although wartime dated carries the Sharpshooter titles and the first pattern formation signs of 56th Armoured Division -the knight's helmet pierced by a sword - so dates from after April 1947 when the TA was reformed at which time the TA's uniform was wartime BD, the late manufacturing date suggesting unused wartime stocks.This suggests that the OCR may have been revived for the postwar TA.

No mention of the Reserve in King's Regs 1940 or TA Regs 1936 or on the National Archives catalogue. More digging required!

So the badge seems to have been identified now we need the background

Jon

[badjez]

Jon,

Agreed on all counts regarding the dating of the uniform.

Regarding the 'Officer Cadet Reserve' and the badges I can add nothing, other than to say I cannot find record of Ordnance issuing the badge in the List of Change, or the Army Dress Committee having considered approving it post-war. It doesn't merit an entry in the War Vocab of Clothing & Necessaries 1942either.

The Kent & Sharpshooters museum on-line catalogue indicates they hold a large number of photo albums and regimental orders that might hold clues. Unfortunately it is a bit too far to get to for me to research further!

Stephen.

[Postwarden]

Stephen,

Another piece of the puzzle. The attached extract appears in the 1939 National Service Guide which listed the ways in which men and women could be of use to the country in time of war.

Jon

[badjez]

Jon,

Good work. I think we can sign this badge off as identified.

Would you like to put it all in a future edition of Formation Sign?

Stephen.

[Postwarden]

Stephen,

I'm writing the article already.

Jon

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by Postwarden

Stephen,

I'm writing the article already.

Jon

Jon,

Did this article appear?
Is it possible to post a copy of it on here?

Very interested to see it.

regards

[Postwarden]

The article as requested from The Formation Sign and the badges worn by holders of Certs A and B.

Jon

[manchesters]

Thanks Jon,

Most intersesting stuff.

I have acquired the Gold OCR Certificate 'B' badge but have never seen a red OCR Certificate 'A' badge before so thats one I need to find.

thanks again

regards

[manchesters]

Some more research took me to the history of Aberdeen University OTC which revealed the following information, including the creation date of the OCR as 1932.

" In the interwar years a relatively low proportion of cadets went on to Regular or TA commissions. In 1932 in an attempt to improve the likely supply of officers in an emergency, the War Office introduced the Officer Cadet Reserve (OCR). Those cadets who passed their Cert A or B written exams in November could consider joining the OCR. Under this voluntary scheme current and former members of the Senior Division of the OTC would have the following ‘benefits’ in the event of war. Cert A holders would be 138 entitled to enlist straight into officer training units. Cert B holders would be commissioned immediately. By May 1933, Aberdeen OTC had 16 Cert A holders and 25 Cert B holders listed in the Officer Cadet Reserve. Thus very quickly, roughly 20% of the Contingent had joined the new scheme putting Aberdeen second only to Birmingham’s Contingent in this respect among all of Britain’s Universities. This achievement was set against a general wave of pacifism in student bodies across the country."


"On the outbreak of WW2, the Reception Unit and Board dealt with 276 members of the Officer Cadet Reserve (OCR) which had been formed in 1932."

regards