Despatch Rider Arm Band or Formation Sign?

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I picked up this really nice image recently. It shows a splendid group of Royal Engineer Despatch Riders.

A couple of points of interest: Firstly there is a sign at the bottom which if I'm reading it right says DR (despatch riders) 1917 and BEF (British Expeditionary Force). Any comments very much welcome.

Also and from an insignia perspective, I noted a number of the chaps wearing a pair of the blue/white armbands denoting Despatch Rider. But also a few of them appear to be wearing a patch somewhat similar to a formation sign of the same design.

I'm wondering if this was just an armband cut up/sewn on, possibly due to shortage. Or something else?

Cheerio,

Roy

[crest-insignia]

Wearing a Sam Browne, I reckon its a warrant officers badge of some sort.

[Roy]

Here's some more pics of the patch I'm talking about.

Cheerio,

Roy

[crest-insignia]

He also appears to be wearing jodhpurs and long leather boots, almost certainly a ‘senior’.

[MH331]

Roy,

My money is on a cut down DR armband.

Regards

Mark

[Roy]

Thanks Mark,

The more I looked at it the more I wondered that. Perhaps they needed more armbands than they had to go around, so cutting one up to make four pieces that could be sewed on would do the job.

Never seen it before, so thought it worth sharing.

Cheerio,

Roy

[engr9266]

Isn't the Blue & White arm band worn by the Signal Service of the Royal Engineers ??