Shoulder titles

[simon2]

I was thinking of adding to my GG display.

As I had his original Cap Badge,medals and SWB I wanted to add a shoulder title to go with it.

So a few months ago I purchased an original, metal TF shoulder title for the 6th Btt Gloucester Regiment as this was the

only style I was aware of and have seen photographs depicting the metal title.

However when I was looking back through phtos of my GG I noticed in a goup photo in camp (I assume 1915 ish as he went to France 1916)

that he was wearing cloth T6 Gloucester titles.

Was there an army order to change titles on mobilisation?, was it a regimental order? As he was TF did they all wear the cloth one regardless? or was it just plain old cheaper to produce?.

I would like to be accurate to finish the display.

Cheers Simon.

[john gregory]

I can't help you with the dates but here is Tom Westbury wearing a cloth title.

[simon2]

Thanks john,

Thats one of the best shoulder title photos I have seen.

It looks exactly like the one my GG is wearing.

Simon.

[badjez]

Very briefly:

Prior to 1916 the supply of badges and uniforms was supplied by different sources depending if you were a Regular or TF soldier. Ordnance supplied the former and the TF Associations supplied the latter.

In 1916 the WO requested all TFA to supply details of the badges and insignia which they supplied to 'their units'. This was followed by instructions that Ordnance would henceforth supply all soldiers kit. This led to the adoption by units of common headdress badges etc, doing away with 'South Africa' scrolls or the adoption of 'Egypt' on previously blank scrolls etc. The 'T' and 'T/Y' titles for TF units were replaced on a maintenance basis. This was because many men joining these units were no longer TF men, but were conscripts or Regulars posted to TF units after wounds etc.

In turn Ordnance introduced embroidered titles and cap badges of all gilding metal cap badges. This was to cut down the amount of specialist labour needed to produce metal badges (unlike WW2 where shortage of metals was the issue). In 1919, as soon as possible post Armistice, Ordnance started to phase out the embroidered badges.

In 1920 when units started to be reformed the Army Council expressed a preference for embroidered badges, but it was more economic to go back to metal insignia, hence the reintroduction of T Titles etc in the 1920/30's. The 'T' was finally ordered to be removed in 1940.

Its a guess, but I would think the 6 Gloucesters badge was a TFAssoc item introduced as Gloucester TFAssoc had trouble procuring sufficient metal badges.

Stephen.

[simon2]

Stephen,

Very informative.

Many thanks.

Simon.