14th Durham L.I. - tunic back-patches

[ericwebb]

I'm researching a junior officer in 14th DLI. In September 1915, shortly before he goes on active service (to fight at Loos) he writes home to mum: 'Thanks for the Bon voyage. Here is one of the green tabs that we wear sewed onto the backs of our coats. Like this. <Sketch> Keep one & sew the other onto my new tunic at home. It goes so that the top edge just touches the collar and the central back seam comes in the middle. Then in mid-October he writes: 'I wonder if you’d take that green tab that the Durham’s wear as a pattern and get some nice kind person to send me 100 of them out here for the new draft. It is of the finest green baize, I should think. Would it cost much?'

Can anyone shed further light? I suppose these were for unit I/D in the heat of battle? What other colours were worn? Sounds a bit 'unofficial' if he had to ask his mum to send what she could find to kit out the newcomers?

Thanks all, as always.

Eric W

[EDWARD1]

Extract from operational orders dated 20th March 1916 to the 4th Btn RF

"No 16 Distinguishing Marks

The following marks will be worn

Roy Fus Red

N Fus Yellow A square patch to [?] will

R S Fus Black be sewn just below the collar

W Yorks White of jacket on back

In addition every wire cutter will wear a green streamer tied to right shoulder stap"

Eddie