Anthony Pigott Posted 13 December , 2005 Share Posted 13 December , 2005 On another thread ( http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...topic=42829&hl= ) a question was raised about the meaning of the armbands that some of the officers (some very senior) were wearing. It was suggested that they indicated staff officers. I had a search through the forum for information on staff armbands and the most detail that found was in this post: Hi there, According to the book "Brassey's History of Uniforms : World War One British Army" compiled by Steven Bull, a red, white, red arm band worn on the right arm indicates men attached to Army Corps HQ. This would appear as grey.white, grey in a black and white photo. Divisional HQ troops wore a red arm band while Brigade HQ wore a blue arm bands. It does not state whether there was an arm band for Battalion HQ's. Regards Terry However, this doesn't seem to cover the armbands in the picture which show Smith-Dorrien, probable Robertson and at least two others wearing white or very light coloured bands. Does anyone know the full and definitive story of these armbands? Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 14 December , 2005 Share Posted 14 December , 2005 Would that I did. I have been collecting very many definitions/ illustrations of arm-bands/ brassards/ brazzards for years and conclude it is a pitiless bottom, no, wait, a bottomless pit. One day, one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 14 December , 2005 Share Posted 14 December , 2005 Would that I did. I have been collecting very many definitions/ illustrations of arm-bands/ brassards/ brazzards for years and conclude it is a pitiless bottom, no, wait, a bottomless pit. One day, one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 14 December , 2005 Share Posted 14 December , 2005 Well, let`s start on what I imagine is an easy one, LB. A well known shot of Haig, Monro & Gough. Can you say anything about the armbands? Phil B Edit - This appears to have been answered - they`re Corps HQ armbands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Pigott Posted 14 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 14 December , 2005 Would that I did. I have been collecting very many definitions/ illustrations of arm-bands/ brassards/ brazzards for years and conclude it is a pitiless bottom, no, wait, a bottomless pit. One day, one day. I didn't choose my words carefully enough. Does anyone (LB?) have sufficient knowledge to identify these ones? Regards Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Sweeney Posted 14 December , 2005 Share Posted 14 December , 2005 (edited) GHQ BEF periodically updated the list of authorized armbands. Stephen Bull published one of the list in his book. There was also a whole other layer of armbands listed in the Clothing registries that include the BEF ones and a lot of others specific to the army in general. (there is one clothing registry missing for 1915 so not a complete picture). You would have thought between both sources a near complete picture would surface. However, the lists don't answer the original question. Joe Sweeney Edited 14 December , 2005 by Joe Sweeney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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