Tom Tulloch-Marshall Posted 24 September , 2008 Share Posted 24 September , 2008 Can anybody tell me when (date, or at least year) the British Army first issued a general service badge ........... + a picture / illustration ? thanks - Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianB Posted 24 September , 2008 Share Posted 24 September , 2008 The answer is probably to be found in the ACD records at Kew. I'll have a look the next time I'm there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Doyle Posted 24 September , 2008 Share Posted 24 September , 2008 Good question - one also has to ask who wore them. Of course its clear for WW2, where the GS Corps existed to hold men in training. Maybe officers of the 'General List' before assignment. Certainly illustrated as such in Kipling & King. As for earlier, well I'm sure others will add info. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 24 September , 2008 Share Posted 24 September , 2008 I did read somewhere that they were worn at one time by the WW1 type Home Guard, National Volunteers. I am also fairly sure that it was also worn by the Labour Corps men before they had their won Badge. I think Ivor Lee once told me that, i will check over my notes and see. Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 24 September , 2008 Share Posted 24 September , 2008 Other ranks 'Royal Arms' cap badge - in bronze for officers. More commonly known as a General Service badge. Worn by;- Officers on the General List in bronze with matching collar badges. Officers and other ranks of the Volunteer Force 1916-1918. Officers also wore small 'V's below their collar badges. Other ranks of the Labour Corps before the introduction of the Labour Corps badge. Not 100% about officers?? As far as I'm aware the 'General Service Corps' was a WWII formation, but it operated on the same lines as the General List of WWI in that officers who had no regimental preference were pooled and then posted where required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Doyle Posted 25 September , 2008 Share Posted 25 September , 2008 Yes, General service Corps was WW2, from 1942 in fact... Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 26 September , 2008 Share Posted 26 September , 2008 Stewart is quite right. The Royal Arms were used by the Labour Corps from August 1917 onwards. They only got their own badge around November 1918. Ivor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 26 September , 2008 Share Posted 26 September , 2008 The badge has been worn by a variety of appointments since Victorian times, including inspectors and Governors of Military Prisons. The General List first appeared in the Army List in October 1914. The title then being General List, Infantry, for Service Battalions, it included the names of 'Officers who have been gazetted to the Gemeral List for service with Service battalions, ut whose alocation is not included in this issue'. To this was added, in February 1915, the names of officers 'who are holding other appointments'. Note the word appointments. Don't confuse it with Extra-Regimentally employed which is a different badge. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Tulloch-Marshall Posted 26 September , 2008 Author Share Posted 26 September , 2008 That's all very helpful chaps - thanks Now - next question is - the badge below - is this a GS badge or something else ? (original photo is 99.9% certain WW1, with no other distinguishing marks etc). Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 26 September , 2008 Share Posted 26 September , 2008 I would say it is. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Doyle Posted 26 September , 2008 Share Posted 26 September , 2008 The cap looks a little weird, maybe just the contrast. Any chance of the full pic? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Tulloch-Marshall Posted 27 September , 2008 Author Share Posted 27 September , 2008 Peter - sorry, but as far as the cap part of the photo goes - that's as good as it gets. When I first saw this photo my first snap-thought was Manchester Reg't, but clearly that isnt the case - the GS badge is a much better resemblance, though I think that this one may have been bent into a curve - maybe some sort of "fashion statement" ! If anybody has any more / other thoughts then please let me know regards - Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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