What would they have worn?

[Bean tool]

Evening all, 

 

Would anyone be able to show me via their collections or pictures what insignia a drummer/strecher bearer pte would wear?

 

Hope everyone had a nice xmas

 

Dan

[GWF1967]

Hi Dan,

 regimental stretcher bearers, mostly bandsmen, usually wore a brassard marked S.B, the old thread also shows a sew on S.B. badge. 

Edited 30 December , 2017 by GWF1967

[GWF1967]

Drummers badge and position for wear. The S.B. brassard on the other arm completes the set.

 Stephen Chambers book  "Uniforms & Equipment of the British Army in World War 1" has a great shot of S.B. brassards cut down into patches and sewn on. Unfortunately it won't sit flat on my scanner.

[Bean tool]

Thanks GWF. Maybe a silly question but when you say brassard is that a badge or insignia made of brass? I've been trying to pick up bits and pieces of insignia that an ancestor would have worn. I spotted a material drummer badge on ebay a few months ago but was unsure whether it would be of the time. 

 

I've got his belt buckle, some buttons and a small brass Gloster shoulder badge. 

 

Thanks again

 

Dan

[GWF1967]

2 hours ago, Bean tool said:

Thanks GWF. Maybe a silly question but when you say brassard is that a badge or insignia made of brass? I've been trying to pick up bits and pieces of insignia that an ancestor would have worn. I spotted a material drummer badge on ebay a few months ago but was unsure whether it would be of the time. 

 

I've got his belt buckle, some buttons and a small brass Gloster shoulder badge. 

 

Thanks again

 

Dan

Hi Dan,

The Stretcher Bearer brassard is an adjustable, off white canvas armband. See the examples belonging to Chief-Chum and Wainfleet in the 2010 thread in #2.

Not sure about the cloth drummer badge, brass versions are always available on ebay.

 

[Bean tool]

Ah OK GWF. I see. I guess that's going to be harder to come by than the drummer badge. Haven't seen an SB one, only red cross

 

Thanks GWF

 

Dan

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Dan

 

"Brassard" is from the French bras, meaning an arm, and is the name the British Army uses for an armband. It has no connection with brass.

 

I believe that the cloth drummer's badge was normally worn on service dress jackets. If metal ones turn up more often on eBay, it is probably because the cloth ones are less durable.

 

Ron

[FROGSMILE]

Just to add to Ron’s explanation, brassards became fashionable when the British Army developed a staff college and began copying the French practice of wearing a brassard to indicate the staff branch for which an officer worked within an HQ.   Regimental police also followed the practice via their connection on active service with the Assistant Provost Marshal.  Gorget tabs worn by staff officers on their collars began around the same time.  These simple but effective additions to uniform also spawned use by stretcher bearers and even men enlisted via the Derby Scheme and into the Volunteer Training Corps when full uniform was not yet available.

Edited 31 December , 2017 by FROGSMILE

[Bean tool]

Afternoon Ron, thanks for that. Makes sense now. So much to learn! 

 

Dan 

[Bean tool]

Thanks Frogsmile

[trenchtrotter]

Genuine SB brassards, rare as hens teeth. Ive been after one for years. Last I saw and missed on eBay went for well over £200.

 

Good luck and you have to fight me first.

 

Regards

 

TT

[Bean tool]

9 minutes ago, trenchtrotter said:

Genuine SB brassards, rare as hens teeth. Ive been after one for years. Last I saw and missed on eBay went for well over £200.

 

Good luck and you have to fight me first.

 

Regards

 

TT

Ha! I'm a young man with a mortgage to pay so I won't be able to get one just yet! Maybe next Christmas?! I do accept charitable donations TT! 

[mark holden]

3 hours ago, trenchtrotter said:

Genuine SB brassards, rare as hens teeth. Ive been after one for years. Last I saw and missed on eBay went for well over £200.

 

Good luck and you have to fight me first.

 

Regards

 

TT

And Me!!

[Bean tool]

22 minutes ago, mark holden said:

And Me!!

 

3 hours ago, trenchtrotter said:

Genuine SB brassards, rare as hens teeth. Ive been after one for years. Last I saw and missed on eBay went for well over £200.

 

Good luck and you have to fight me first.

 

Regards

 

TT

How would you spot an original one? Are there any features I should be on the look out for? 

 

Cheers